ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The prosecution has rested in the trial of a Lehigh County woman accused of handing over a child to be sexually assaulted, in exchange for cash and drugs.
Julie Acosta faces a slew of charges related to sexual exploitation of children.
The alleged incident happened in 2024 at a Super 8 on Airport Road in Lehigh County.
On day two of the trial, three Allentown police officers and a county detective took the witness stand.
Testimony and cross examination lasted several hours for the officers, who all played a role in the investigation into the victim’s sexual assault claim.
Investigators say in July 2024, Allentown police received a call to the “child line” regarding the victim’s sexual assault claim. Authorities say the line is designed for people to report sexual and child abuse.
Prosecutors first called an Allentown police sergeant to the witness stand to go over Joshua Martel’s phone records.
Martel allegedly received cash and bags of crystal meth from Acosta, before investigators say he raped a child in the motel room.
Several text messages exchanged between Martel and Acosta were displayed. Investigators say the conversations were in relation to drugs and motel expenses before the alleged incident.
The courtroom was showed two videos.
The first video was a nearly 25 minute interview between Acosta, the lead Allentown Police detective and Children in Youth counselors.
The second video showed the detective conducting another interview after Acosta, after she was taken into custody.
In both videos, Acosta could be seen denying selling the child for sex, calling the child “psychologically ill” and saying the child lied about the assault.
A third Allentown police officer, who investigators say specializes in drug cease operations and investigations, was called to the stand to review more text messages between Martel and Acosta. Prosecutors asked the officer to detail the drug exchanges, including conversations about crystal meth.
More than a dozen phone calls and a video call between Acosta and an unidentified male were played for the courtroom and detailed by month and time, by the Lehigh County detective at the witness stand. Investigators say Acosta used victim intimidation while she was in custody, prior to the trial start date. In the calls, Acosta can be heard saying she had nothing to do with Martel’s actions to the child.
The defense is arguing that the victim’s sexual assault claim timeline doesn’t add up. They say the detective sided with the victim, before digging further into Acosta’s claims.
During the proceedings, an emotional Acosta could be seen crying and using tissues.
The defense says they are still coordinating travel plans with more witnesses to appear in court.
A jury will decide Acosta’s fate.
Court is expected to resume Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Lehigh County Courthouse.