Brooklyn Shomrim Leader's Sex Abuse Spanned 2 States, Feds Say

BROOKLYN, NY — A prominent leader in Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish community accused of having sex with a teen girl traveled to three different towns to carry out his abuse, new court documents reveal.

Prosecutors unsealed a three-count indictment Thursday against Jacob Daskal, the founder and chief of the anti-crime group Borough Park Shomrim Society who was first charged in 2018 for allegedly grooming and sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl.

The latest indictment brings new charges against Daskal for enticing the girl to travel with him to engage in sexual activity, according to prosecutors.

Daskal, who was 59 at the time of the abuse, brought the teen to his summer home in the Catskills and traveled to see her when she moved to Chicago, prosectors said.

“A man who founded an organization aimed at creating a safer community should know the difference between right and wrong," FBI Assistant-Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. said. "As we allege, Mr. Daskal’s position of influence may have helped him attempt to silence his victim, but it won’t stop the FBI from holding him accountable. Sexually exploiting a teenaged girl is a crime that carries severe consequences, and we hope Mr. Daskal’s arrest will demonstrate to other victims that they can come forward."

Daskal has been charged with coercing a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, prosecutors said.

The charges from his 2018 arrest, which include statutory rape and sexual abuse, are still pending trial, according to the documents.

Daskal's sexual relationship with the teenager spanned August to November 2017, according to prosecutors. During that time, investigators say he had sexual relations with the girl at his home in Brooklyn and his summer home in South Fallsburg, N.Y.

When the girl moved to Chicago in October, Daskal continued to communicate with her over text and Skype, asking her to pose nude for him over video chat and send him nude photographs. He eventually took a plane to Chicago and brought the girl to a hotel room where they had intercourse and oral sex, according to prosecutors.

The teenager was afraid of Daskal because of his position in the community, but ultimately confided in a mentor in 2018 about the abuse, prosecutors said.

Investigators said Thursday they are searching for any potential additional victims.

"We are asking anyone with information about this investigation or the identities of additional victims to call us at 212-384-1000,” Sweeney said.

Daskal faces a minimum of 10 years in prison if he is convicted on the latest charges, prosecutors said.