A former New York City Police officer has been convicted of sex offenses involving four minor boys and the sexual assault of two of those children. Christopher Terranova was found guilty by a federal jury in Brooklyn on all six counts of a superseding indictment.
Between approximately December 2019 and May 2023, Terranova used social media to engage in sexually explicit conversations with underage boys and attempt to entice them into taking sexually explicit photographs of themselves and sharing them with the defendant.
Terranova targeted a boy who was the victim of a robbery and encountered the defendant at the 121st Precinct on Staten Island when he reported the crime. Terranova obtained the boy’s cellphone number from the robbery complaint in an NYPD database and messaged him, inquiring about the investigation, referring to his role as a police officer, and asking the boy if he had any interest in the police department or its youth programs.
When sentenced, Terranova faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison. The verdict followed a five-day trial before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.
“As proven at trial, the defendant preyed on vulnerable minors through social media and on Staten Island where he abused his position as a police officer to gain the trust of his victims in a despicable strategy to gratify his sexual desires,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace.
Christopher Terranova, a former NYPD officer, violated his sworn oath to protect and serve by preying upon four minor boys for personal gratification, said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy. “Terranova strategically exploited his position to establish an inappropriate relationship with his victims and impose undue sexual influence.
Between March 2023 and May 2023, Terranova targeted a boy who was the victim of a robbery and encountered the defendant at the 121st Precinct on Staten Island when he reported the crime. Terranova obtained the boy’s cellphone number from the robbery complaint in an NYPD database and messaged him: “Hey…it’s Chris Terranova the cop you met at the 121 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.”
Terranova filed for retirement in September 2023 while under suspension from NYPD. The FBI will continue to partner with the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau to investigate any officer abusing their badge for twisted desires, said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy.
Defendant: Christopher Terranova
Criminal Charges: Sexually exploiting, attempting to sexually exploit and enticing and coercing three 15-year-old boys and a 12-year-old boy
City and State: New York
Date: Between approximately December 2019 and May 2023
Sentence: Mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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