A former New York City Police Department officer has been sentenced to prison for conspiring to engage in the sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl, officials said.
On September 21, 2016, Eduardo Cornejo, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor, and on May 24, 2018, he was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his crimes.
Cornejo, a Staten Island resident, was arrested on August 10, 2016, after authorities discovered that he had been using his position to elude law enforcement while engaging in a sex trafficking scheme that involved at least 10 different women.
According to court documents, Cornejo transported the women to motels throughout the New York metropolitan area, including New Jersey and Long Island, often immediately upon completing a tour of duty with the NYPD. Cornejo used information he gained from his position as a law enforcement officer to evade detection.
“Cornejo conspired to engage in the sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl during his off-duty time, a violation of his oath to protect the community and uphold the law,” stated Bridget M. Rohde, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Cornejo was ordered to pay $5,000 in forfeiture as part of his sentence. He will also serve five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
The case was handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander A. Solomon leading the prosecution.
Cornejo has been in custody since August 10, 2016, when Judge Brian M. Cogan revoked his bond. He had been released on bond after his arrest but was continuing to promote prostitution by driving multiple women to motels throughout the New York metropolitan area.
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York imposed the sentence.
Cornejo was a 35-year-old Staten Island resident at the time of his arrest. He was charged with conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor and was sentenced to 66 months in prison.
Cornejo’s crimes were a betrayal of the public’s trust, and he will now face the consequences of his actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who engage in such heinous crimes to justice.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
