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A former NYPD sergeant from Astoria was sentenced on Wednesday to 28 years in prison for using online dating sites to convince mothers to molest their children and send him photos, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Alberto Randazzo, 40, pleaded guilty last July to two counts of conspiracy to sexually exploit a child and one count of receipt of child pornography. On April 19, he was sentenced to 28 years in prison, eight years of supervised release and sex offender registration for sexual exploitation and receipt of child pornography.

According to Bridget M. Rhode, a United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, from 2010 through 2013, Randazzo used online dating websites like AshleyMadison.com and Match.com to persuade mothers to sexually abuse their children so he could see it.

In February 2013, a witness found disturbing text messages on Randazzo’s phone and emails with pictures of mothers molesting their children. He admitted to the witness that he had a sexual interest in mothers having sex with their children.

An investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau of the NYPD found several images and videos of child pornography, including child pornography videos made by Randazzo in his home. He was arrested and charged in criminal court.

“Alberto Randazzo lived a double life, publicly serving as an NYPD police officer while privately engaging in conduct to exploit the most vulnerable members of the community – our children,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Rohde. “Together with our law enforcement partners we will continue to strive to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

Randazzo had been a 15-year veteran of the NYPD at the time of his arrest. While he was out on bail, Homeland Security Investigations found that he continued to download child pornography. This led to a federal investigation and federal charges.

At least five women complied with his requests to sexually abuse children and the victim’s ages ranged from a few months old to 8 years old. Randazzo traveled out of state to watch two of the children be molested in person. The 8-year-old victim was also drugged so she would not remember the incident, according to the attorney’s office.

Three of the women have been charged in the Eastern District of New York and two pleaded guilty with one sentenced to five years in prison. One perpetrator is awaiting sentencing and another is awaiting trail.

“Randazzo held a position with the sole purpose to serve and protect the people of this city. Instead, he targeted certain women, persuaded them to sexually abuse their children and had them send him pictures and videos of the acts,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Angel Melendez. “His behavior is no less than deplorable. It is with continued joint law enforcement efforts that we can target these types of offenders and ensure that they are punished for their heinous deeds.”