05/19/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
New York, NY – A community affairs police officer accused of using his position to prey on women went to trial Tuesday, May 18, 2010, for charges including sexual abuse and misconduct, as reported by USA Today. The trial is round two for the ex-NYPD officer, who was convicted in January of misconduct after offering to trade a teen’s citation ticket for a sexual favor.
Wilfredo Rosario will also be tried on another charge of raping a woman who came to a police station looking for information on children’s programs. Rosario has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The case that began Tuesday, centers around two women’s stories of abuse. The first woman, who is expected to testify, claims Rosario approached her on the street in August 2004 while she was walking with her two children. He offered her information on after-school programs and, after gaining her trust, came by her apartment that evening. He then threatened to arrest her and molested her in her bedroom.
The next woman to come forward said Rosario came to the rescue after she had locked herself out of her car in March 2008. The woman reported she gave him her phone number after he explained how he could get her a job as a crossing-guard, help her obtain a parking permit and provide her with information on children’s programs. The married Puerto Rican woman claimed she trusted him because “he was a police officer.”
Rosario contacted the woman four days after their first meeting, lured her into his car and then drove her to a secluded area where he fondled her and forced her to kiss him while refusing to let her leave.
The woman secretly recorded a phone call from the officer later that night, where he appears to acknowledge a sexual encounter.
Rosario told both victims not to report the incidents, according to the prosecutor.
Rosario’s lawyer claims the reports are invalid, because the 2004 incident was not reported for two years, and the 2008 incident was reported by the victim’s friend. His attorney said in court, “There is no merit to these charges.”
Rosario served as a NYPD officer for 10 years before being fired.
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