Charges dropped against NYPD officer in sex-abuse case involving teenager at his church

Bronx prosecutors said Thursday they have dropped charges against an NYPD officer arrested in March on charges he sexually abused a 16-year-old girl at a church where both worshipped.

"There was not enough credible evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt," the district attorney's office said in a statement. Charges were dropped Wednesday.

Vladimir Sosa, 38, who had been assigned to the 46th Precinct, which covers the University Heights area, was arrested March 24 by Internal Affairs Bureau detectives on three counts of rape in the third degree, sex abuse in the third degree and other offenses.

He was suspended without pay at the time. The suspension remained in effect Thursday, the NYPD said in an email.

Police alleged that Sosa had a relationship with the girl over a period of months after meeting her through the church, which officials didn't identify.

Sosa played some role in the hierarchy of the church, but police did not say what his exact position was. On Feb. 20, the girl's parents went to police to report the relationship, triggering the investigation, an NYPD spokesman said at the time.