Ex-DHSPD officer arrested after use of force incident released on bail
Jesus Reyes
Update 11/10/25
Johnny Acosta was released on $30,000 bail, according to county jail records.
Acosta is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19.
Original Report 11/7/25
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A now-former Desert Hot Springs police officer was arrested on suspicion of assault nearly one year after a use-of-force investigation stemming from the arrest of minors.
Johnny Acosta was arrested on Friday after the District Attorney’s Office filed charges of assault with a deadly weapon, filing a false report, and assault by a peace officer under color of authority, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Acosta was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio with bail set at $30,000.
The arrest stems from an incident on the morning of Nov. 8, 2024, at a local school on the 65000 block of Pierson Boulevard.
DHSPD responded to the school regarding a burglary and vandalism of the concession stand near the football field. Officers arrived and located four individuals inside the concession stand. Police said the individuals ran when they saw the officers.
“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,” reads RSO’s news release.
Both individuals taken into custody were identified as 17-year-old teenagers. One of the teens suffered minor injuries as a result of the use of force.
In December 2024, the DSHPD requested the Riverside County Sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail conduct an independent investigation into the officer’s use of force.
Acosta was terminated from the department in March “based on the outcome of the department’s internal investigation,” according to DHSPD.
The 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.