A disgraced former NYPD officer has admitted to having sex with a woman he arrested in his police car after showing her explicit images of himself.
Guilty Plea
Matthew Lambert, 33, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of misconduct and receipt of unlawful gratuities. He also sent inappropriate messages to two other women. The former police detective resigned from the force in December 2025 after the allegations surfaced.
Details of the Incident
According to prosecutors, after arresting a woman in May 2024, Lambert walked out of the police station with her after showing her a picture of his penis. He later texted her more explicit images, and the pair had sex inside his police car. After the encounter, he texted her, "You're so cool. Thanks for hanging out." The woman eventually had to block him after he continued to contact her for two months.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated: "In addition to sending extremely inappropriate text messages to victims while he was investigating their cases, he abused his power to engage in a sexual encounter with a woman he had arrested just hours earlier."
Additional Inappropriate Messages
Lambert also pleaded guilty to sending creepy messages to three crime victims. On March 19, 2024, he texted a theft victim: "Celebration drinks when this is over?" He added: "If you say now, I’m still gonna work hard on your case, I promise."
Between March 28 and May 14, 2024, he messaged an assault victim: "You’re absolutely beautiful." He also wrote: "I was shocked when I met you. I mean, no disrespect to you and your relationship. I’m saying this in a respectful way, if that’s even possible."
Sentencing
Lambert was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to complete counseling and 100 hours of community service. District Attorney Bragg condemned his actions, saying: "This defendant’s disturbing conduct is unacceptable for a member of law enforcement."
Lambert joined the NYPD in 2014 and worked as a detective until his resignation.
