Ex-NYPD Cop Charged With Child Sex Offenses Over Explicit Messages With Minors

An NYPD officer stands guard outside the New York Police Department in Times Square in New York City on Oct. 5, 2021. Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

A former New York Police Department (NYPD) officer was charged with engaging in “sexually explicit conversations” with underage boys and attempting to exploit them, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The former NYPD officer identified as Christopher Terranova, 34, was arrested on Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York.

Mr. Terranova allegedly used social media, such as Snapchat, to engage in explicit conversations with underage boys he had met socially or through his job. Authorities said he attempted to entice the victims into taking “sexually explicit photographs” of themselves.

On one occasion, Mr. Terranova allegedly offered to give a boy a ride home from a party, but instead of taking him home, the defendant brought the boy to a secluded location where he directed the victim to engage in sex acts with him.

In addition, Mr. Terranova was also accused of using his position as a police officer to gain access to a boy who had been the victim of a crime, according to the DOJ.

Details of Allegations

Between March and May 2023, Mr. Terranova targeted an unnamed 15-year-old boy who had been the victim of a robbery. Mr. Terranova messaged the boy after obtaining his personal information from the NYPD database, claiming to be “checking on him” after the robbery.

Mr. Terranova allegedly texted: “it’s Chris Terranova the cop you met at the 121 [Precinct] that day with mom, I just wanted to reach out to see if you were doing ok after the incident, I hate seeing these things happen to good Guys like yourself.”

The defendant then connected with the minor through social media and attempted to engage in a conversation about sexual activity and pornography.

Mr. Terranova allegedly sent an explicit photo of himself to get the boy do the same for him. “See it’s nothing. Your turn,” he allegedly texted the boy, according to the DOJ.

“The defendant allegedly preyed upon vulnerable youth in the same community he was sworn to protect,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated.

Mr. Peace also urged parents and caregivers to have conversations with their children about the dangers of communicating online with strangers and individuals who seek to exploit them.

“The damage done by Terranova’s alleged depravity will likely outlast any punishment he ultimately receives,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith stated.

“The FBI is dedicated to doing the work to restore public faith in law enforcement when individuals attempt to use the badge to hide their illegal behavior,” he added.

Mr. Terranova had worked as an NYPD officer since 2011. He was first arrested in May on charges related to child pornography and was suspended due to the allegations, the New York Post reported.