Desert Hot Springs Police Officer Arrested for Assault 

November 8, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on November 8, 2024, at 1:55 a.m., Desert Hot Springs Police officers were dispatched to a local school in the 65000 block of Pierson Boulevard, Desert Hot Springs, regarding a burglary and vandalism of the concession stand near the football field. Officers arrived and located four individuals inside the concession stand. Upon seeing the officers, the four individuals ran. Officers apprehended one suspect a short distance from the concession stand, during which a use-of-force incident occurred. After searching the area, officers located a second suspect, and an additional use-of-force incident took place during that arrest. Both individuals taken into custody were identified as 17-year-old juveniles. One of the juveniles suffered minor injuries as a result of the use-of-force.

In December 2024, the Desert Hot Springs Police Department requested the Riverside County Sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail conduct an independent investigation into the officer’s use of force.

The results of the investigation were presented to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. On November 7, 2025, the District Attorney’s Office filed charges against former Desert Hot Springs Police Officer Johnny Acosta for assault with a deadly weapon, filing a false report, and assault by a peace officer under color of authority. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued for Acosta.

On November 7, 2025, Acosta was arrested without incident by members of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team. He was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center, and his bail was set at $30,000.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further information will be released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Jason Letterly at (760) 863-7582 or District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson at (951) 955-2777.

The Riverside County Force Investigations Detail is a task force led by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and includes investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and California Highway Patrol. The team is responsible for investigating officer-involved shootings and major use-of-force incidents within Riverside County.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Jarred Bishop

File: MB243450001

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office