An NYPD officer charged with sexual exploitation of minors was held without bail Thursday after his arraignment in Central Islip.

Court filings allege Carmine Simpson, 27, of Holbrook, targeted vulnerable children on Twitter for the purpose of having them create sexually exploitative photos and videos of themselves for the defendant.

A release from acting U.S. Attorney Seth D. DuCharme details the complaint against Simpson. It says Simpson often represented to his victims that he was 17 years old, and that he sent them pictures of himself where he applied a filter to alter his own appearance to appear younger.

Around Dec. 30, law enforcement in Maryland received two tips that a Twitter user was using their account to persuade minors to produce and send sexually explicit images and videos to him.

Federal prosecutors say the online chats took place between April and December of last year. They say Simpson communicated with 46 children between the ages of 13 and 17 and convinced two young girls and a 13-year-old transgender boy to send pictures of themselves – often having them write his name on their bodies with a marker.

Authorities say Simpson obtained 81 videos and 180 pictures containing pornographic and sexually explicit material from the victims.

Simpson pleaded not guilty. He has been suspended from the force without pay.

“Instead of protecting the community as a sworn police officer, the defendant has preyed upon and sexually exploited the most vulnerable members,” DuCharme said in prepared remarks.

News 12 sources say Simpson was arrested Thursday at his home in Holbrook.