Allentown, PA – A Lehigh County jury has found a Catasauqua woman guilty on multiple trafficking and exploitation charges connected to a 2024 investigation involving a 12-year-old victim, authorities announced. District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca said 41-year-old Julie Acosta was convicted on all counts after a three-day trial before Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
Acosta was found guilty of conspiracy to commit child sexual assault, trafficking in individuals, sexual exploitation of children, simple assault, and intimidation of a witness. Following the verdict, her bail was revoked, and she remains in Lehigh County Jail pending sentencing on April 14, 2026. She faces a possible maximum sentence of 46 to 92 years in state prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
According to court documents, the case began in April 2024 when investigators learned Acosta had taken a child and siblings to a hotel along Airport Road, where co-defendant Joshua Martel of Allentown was also present. Evidence presented at trial indicated Acosta arranged contact between Martel and the victim.
Martel, 32, later pleaded guilty to related offenses, including child exploitation and trafficking, and received a 21- to 50-year state prison sentence for his role.
- Catasauqua woman convicted in Allentown trafficking case
- Co-defendant already serving prison sentence for related offenses
- Sentencing scheduled for April 14 in Lehigh County Court
While awaiting trial, Acosta also violated a no-contact order by attempting to reach the victim from jail, investigators said. Prosecutors stated that her conviction marks a significant step in ensuring accountability for crimes involving child exploitation and human trafficking.
