'Disturbing case': Man pleads guilty in incident in which he recorded College of Staten Island bathroom

STATEN ISLAND, NY — A Port Richmond man pleaded guilty Thursday to harassment and unlawful surveillance in connection with an incident in which two victims were filmed attempting to use the restroom on the College of Staten Island (CSI) campus.

Richard Acosta pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful surveillance in the second degree and two counts of harassment. He now faces up to two years in prison and mandatory registration as a sex offender for the incidents.

Acosta, a Port Richmond resident and CSI student, used his cellphone to illegally record the victims on school grounds, according to court documents.

A statement from the office of Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon said his office worked with the NYPD in investigating the incident and collected surveillance and video footage of the defendant from the days in question, which ultimately led to his arrest.

“For Staten Island students, there should be no safer place than the classroom or campus. Our office remains committed to ensuring safety in schools and holding accountable those who hurt or harm our young people,” McMahon said.

“We commend Assistant District Attorney Amir Fadl for his efforts to hold the defendant accountable for his reprehensible actions, and we thank the NYPD for its partnership and diligent efforts to ensure justice is served in this disturbing case.”