NYPD Officer Accused Of Having Sexual Relationship With 16-Year-Old Girl
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An NYPD officer who is an active member of his church stood charged with rape Tuesday night, on allegations that he carried on a sexual relationship with an underage girl.
Officer Vladimir Sosa, 38, was arrested around 10 a.m. Tuesday at his home in the Bronx River Houses public housing development, police said.
As CBS2's Matt Kozar reported, neighbors said Sosa -- a seven-year veteran of the force -- always walks around with a Bible and is a devoutly religious man. But investigators painted a far different portrait.
Sosa was charged with rape, committing a criminal sex act, sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, and acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17, police said.
The girl involved was 16 at the time of the incident and is now 17, police sources said.
Sosa allegedly met the girl at a church they both attended where the officer is one of the leaders, sources said. The church practices out of hotels in the Bronx, sources said.
Police alleged that Sosa had sex with the girl multiple times between April and September of last year.
The incidents appear to have taken place at the officer's home, sources said.
The girl's mother found some inappropriate texts on her daughter's cellphone, and the girl confessed the incidents, sources said. The girl's mother reported the alleged incidents to police last month, sources said.
No one answered the door at Sosa's apartment Tuesday night. Neighbors said he lives with his mother.
"He actually was really kind," said neighbor Jocelynne Mora. "If I was locked out of my house, I would knock on his door. I would use his phone."
"When he came out in the morning, he said, 'Good morning.' He would say, 'Good afternoon, good afternoon,'" added neighbor Maria Torres.
Torres was one of several neighbors who told CBS2 that Sosa is polite and courteous, but remained concerned for her children and grandchildren who live with her.
"You know, we live in the Bronx, and anything could happen. But I have little girls, so it's a surprise to me."
Despite the many charges he is facing, a Bronx judge released Sosa on a personal recognizance bond Tuesday night. He was to appear in court again on April 17, according to the Bronx District Attorney's office.
