Former Head of Boro Park Shomrim Society Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison for Transporting a 15-Year-Old Girl With Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jacob Daskal, the former head of the Boro Park Shomrim Society (the “Shomrim”), a private, Orthodox Jewish crime-patrol group associated with the New York Police Department, was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, to 210 months in prison and a $250,000 fine for transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.  Daskal pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2023. As part of the sentence, Daskal is required to register as a sex offender.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.  

“Daskal used his position of power to inflict serious mental, emotional and physical harm on a vulnerable underaged victim, who belonged to the same community he promised to serve and protect,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentence brings some measure of justice for the brave victim.”

Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

As set forth in court filings and statements at court proceedings, in the spring of 2017, as a result of his position with the Shomrim, Daskal was introduced to a 15-year-old girl who was having issues with her family and whom he took into his home and then groomed for sex.  Between August and November 2017, Daskal, then 58 years-old, subjected the 15-year-old victim to sexual acts. 

During the summer of 2017, the sexual conduct occurred primarily at Daskal’s house in Brooklyn, New York and at his summer house in South Fallsburg, New York.  Daskal frequently transported the victim between those locations by way of New Jersey.   At the end of August, Daskal, his family and the victim returned full-time to his house in Brooklyn where the abuse continued.  As the school year started, the defendant helped the victim find a new school in Chicago, Illinois, and, in October 2017, she moved there to attend that school and live with another family.  While the victim was in Chicago, Daskal communicated with the victim via text message and over Skype video chat.  On November 5, 2017, Daskal traveled to Chicago to visit the victim.  Daskal booked a hotel room in Chicago, and he brought the victim to the hotel for sex.  He returned to New York that evening.

Throughout the abuse, Daskal instructed the victim to delete their communications and warned her not to tell anyone about their sexual relationship.  Daskal also used his position as a leader in their community to quiet the victim, bragging about his connections to law enforcement and warning her that it would ruin her life if she told anyone about their relationship.  In fact, the victim was expelled from her religious school after disclosing her relationship with Daskal to the school principal.

The government’s case is being handled by the office’s Civil Rights Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Reid and Genny Ngai are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Litigation Analyst Ryan Costley. 

The Defendant:

JACOB DASKAL
Age:  64
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-110 (NGG)