NYPD Officer Faces New Queens Charges in Obscenity Case

Travis DeSouza, a 35-year-old NYPD officer and veteran assigned to Brooklyn's 75th Precinct, has been arrested and now faces new charges in Queens, in addition to earlier charges in Brooklyn, for allegedly sending sexually explicit messages and images to an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. The charges now include attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors, official misconduct, obscenity, and attempted endangerment of a child. Authorities say the explicit communications occurred on Snapchat between October 8 and 10, 2024, while DeSouza was involved with the Police Explorers youth program. Despite being told the girl's purported age, DeSouza allegedly continued the inappropriate exchanges and sent explicit photos of himself. The case has raised concerns regarding the safety and integrity of NYPD-affiliated youth programs, with officials emphasizing the importance of trustworthy role models. DeSouza has been placed on unpaid leave and faces up to four years in prison if convicted.