The former head of the Borough Park Shomrim is facing up to 17 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor.
Jacob Daskal, the 64-year-old former leader of the religious safety patrol, admitted in federal court on Friday to transporting a 15-year-old girl with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. As part of his plea deal, Daskal faces between 14 and 17.5 years in prison, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
According to the Office of the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, Daskal met the teen girl through his position in Shomrim in the spring of 2017 and took her into his home, where he began grooming her for sex.
For months, Daskal carried out a sexual relationship with the victim in his home in Brooklyn and his summer home in South Fallsburg, New York — repeatedly driving the girl between the two locations.
“The defendant has admitted he abused his power, trust and position in the community by committing deplorable acts against a child in his care,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace, in a statement. “We want victims everywhere to hear this guilty plea as our Office’s continued declaration that no one is above the law and we will bring those who violate our children to justice.”
In August 2017, Daskal, the victim, and his family returned to live in his Brooklyn home full-time. That fall, the 15-year-old moved to Chicago, Illinois, to attend a new school Daskal helped her find.
While the victim was in Chicago, the then 58-year-old Daskal kept in touch with her via texts and Skype calls — and arranged a day trip to visit her in early November. During his trip, Daskal brought the teen to his hotel room to engage in sexual activities.
According to court documents, Daskal repeatedly told the victim to delete all record of their communications and told her not to tell anyone about their relationship — bragging about his relationship with local law enforcement and telling her that if she told anyone it would ruin her life.
Daskal was first arrested and charged by the state in 2018, but was out on bond until he was re-arrested by federal agencies in 2021.
