ALLENTOWN, PA — A jury has convicted a woman on all charges related to human trafficking and rape of a child following a three-day trial.
Julie Acosta, 40, of Catasauqua, was found guilty of conspiracy – rape of a child, trafficking in individuals – recruit/entice/solicit, sexual exploitation of children, simple assault and intimidation of a witness.
The verdict was announced by District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.
Acosta’s bail was revoked and she remains in Lehigh County Jail.
Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 14, 2026, before Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
She faces a maximum sentence of 46 to 92 years in state prison and will be required to register as a sexual offender for the rest of her life.
The victim was 12 years old at the time of the investigation in 2024.
Between April 23 and April 24, 2024, the victim told investigators that Acosta had taken her and her siblings to a hotel along Airport Road where they shared a room with Joshua Martel, 31, of Allentown.
At the hotel room, Martel gave Acosta $100 and two bags of crystal methamphetamine before Acosta left Martel alone with the victim, according to investigators.
Martel sexually and physically assaulted the victim, who said she tried to get away but Martel would not allow her to leave.
While in Lehigh County Jail between Feb. 9 and June 6, Acosta both called and used her jail-issued tablet to communicate with the victim despite being ordered by Lehigh County Children and Youth to not communicate with the victim.
Acosta also used another inmate’s tablet to contact the victim and asked the victim to tell authorities she lied about the child rape investigation and not to cooperate so Acosta could be released from jail.
Martel pleaded guilty to rape of a child and trafficking in individuals as well as a statutory sex assault case involving a second victim.
He was sentenced to serve 21 to 50 years in state prison in both cases.
