An NYPD officer assigned to a youth outreach program has been hit with additional charges, this time in Queens, for his alleged misconduct involving sending explicit messages to someone he believed was an underage girl. Travis DeSouza, 35, was already facing charges in Brooklyn when new accusations surfaced, according to a report by Gothamist. Now, the Queens District Attorney's office has added to his legal woes, charging him with attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors, official misconduct, obscenity, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
Last year, DeSouza, who headed the NYPD Police Explorers youth program at Brooklyn's 75th Precinct, ostensibly believed to be chatting with a 14-year-old girl online, but unknowingly engaged with an undercover cop. The officer was, in fact, part of a sting operation to apprehend individuals attempting to unjustly engage with minors. As detailed by NY Daily News, DeSouza allegedly continued the conversation on Snapchat, employing a feature designed to make messages disappear after being viewed, sending a photo of a man in boxer shorts with a hand on his genital area.
In a statement obtained by Gothamist, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the gravity of the betrayal, saying "The Explorers is an amazing program and our kids need to trust and have faith in its leaders." Katz highlighted the fact that DeSouza was plainly informed about the 'girl's' age, yet still proceeded to send explicit content. This behavior rightly stirred anxieties regarding his position within the youth program, which caters to adolescents interested in law enforcement, aged 14 to 20.
It was just last October when authorities, having been tipped off about potential predatory behavior, sent an undercover officer to personally approach the then-active officer. The officer identified herself as a 14-year-old interested in the Explorers program, only to later, on a different account, receive explicit messages from DeSouza through Snapchat. According to the Queens DA's announcement, his arrest came about on Thursday morning, reinforcing the legal position that even those who are sworn to protect cannot effortlessly evade the consequences of their actions.
Following his arrest, the NYPD has reportedly suspended DeSouza without pay. The law enforcement community, and particularly those involved in the Explorers program, awaits further development as DeSouza faces up to four years in prison if convicted on these charges. His defense attorney, Peter Brill, commented on the new charges stating that they don't originate from new accusations but are connected to parts of the investigation conducted in Queens. His upcoming court appearances are scheduled for May 2 in Brooklyn and then June 11 in Queens, according to the information provided by NY Daily News.
