Former Desert Hot Springs Officer Pleads Guilty to Excessive Force on Two Teens
Johnny Acosta, 31, a former Desert Hot Springs police officer, has pleaded guilty to using excessive force on two 17-year-old boys during a 2024 arrest, receiving one year of probation and 100 hours of community service after his felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors.
A former Desert Hot Springs police officer has admitted in court to using excessive force against two teenagers. Johnny Acosta, 31, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an incident during a 2024 arrest in which he used excessive force on two 17-year-old boys. As part of a plea agreement, his felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors. A judge sentenced Acosta to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service. Acosta had previously been fired from the Desert Hot Springs Police Department following an internal investigation into the incident. NBC Palm Springs reported on the case.
