A former NYPD detective has admitted in court to abusing his badge in a case that mixes alleged sexual advances, text messages and a vulnerable crime victim, Manhattan prosecutors said Wednesday.
The defendant, 33-year-old Matthew Lambert, pleaded guilty after investigators said he exchanged sexualized messages with crime victims and had sex with a woman shortly after arresting her. Lambert later resigned from the Police Department in December 2025 and was ordered to probation and community service under terms filed by prosecutors. The plea has renewed scrutiny over how allegations of sexual misconduct by officers intersect with discipline and state certification rules.
NEW: Today we announced the guilty plea of a former NYPD officer for sending inappropriate messages to two women who were victims of crimes, and having sexual intercourse with a woman shortly after she was arrested. Learn more: https://x.com/i/status/2064744134619890088
— Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. (@AlvinBragg) June 10, 2026
Manhattan DA Announces Guilty Plea
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. said Lambert pleaded guilty to three counts of official misconduct and one count of receiving unlawful gratuities, resolving charges that grew out of the officer's contacts with crime victims, as announced by Alvin L. Bragg, Jr..
Allegations From Prosecutors
According to the DA's office, prosecutors say Lambert sent "inappropriate messages to two women who were victims of crimes," then drove to one arrestee's home after processing a petit-larceny arrest and had sex with her in his vehicle. They also allege he displayed a nude photograph to the arrestee and used his position to suggest he could influence how her case was handled, a pattern prosecutors say unfolded while he was assigned to a detective squad in 2024, as detailed by Alvin L. Bragg, Jr..
Plea Terms And Case Team
Under the plea, Lambert was ordered to two years' probation, required to complete 100 hours of community service and to undergo individualized counseling. Prosecutors say the case was supervised by Assistant D.A.s Kristen Bitetto and Nick Viorst and prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Tavish Deatley.
How This Affects Police Certification
Prosecutors noted Lambert resigned from the NYPD in December 2025; that kind of resignation "subsequent to, or in connection with" allegations of misconduct can be treated as a removal for cause that prevents recertification in New York State. Per a release from the Governor's Office and the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, an officer's basic training certificate may be invalidated when an employer reports a removal for cause and agencies are required to notify the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers, according to the Governor's Office.
The Manhattan DA framed the plea as an example of accountability when officers abuse their authority and said the office would continue pursuing misconduct allegations against public servants. The DA's statement represents the office's final resolution of the criminal counts it brought in this case.
