Part 2: The Jacob Daskal Case — Crimes, Trial & Civil Lawsuit
By Yevgen Isaac Fromer — July 7, 2025
This issue examines the disturbing case of Jacob Daskal, former leader of the Boro Park Shomrim patrol, whose actions highlight systemic failures within community-led security.
1. 🧾 Arrest, Indictment & Conviction
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March 4, 2021 – Daskal was federally indicted for transporting a 15-year-old girl across state lines for sexual exploitation and coercing her into sex in Brooklyn, upstate New York, and Illinois (justice.gov).
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July 14, 2023 – He pleaded guilty and received a 210-month (17.5-year) prison sentence, was fined $250,000, and is required to register as a sex offender (justice.gov).
🎥 DOJ Press Release (Oct 11, 2023) outlines the sentencing details:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-head-boro-park-shomrim-society-sentenced-more-17-years-prison-transporting-15
2. 💥 Courtroom Footage & News Reports
Shomrim Leader Accused Of Raping 16‑Year‑Old Girl – CBS2 News (May 11, 2018)
This CBS2 segment covers the initial rape charges and courtroom visuals.
Brooklyn patrol leader accused of sexual abuse of teen – Fox 5 NY (Mar 4, 2021)
Covers the sexual abuse allegations and his position in the community.
3. 💼 The $200 Million Civil Lawsuit
In October 2023, victim Rivka Mandel filed a $200 million lawsuit against Daskal, Shomrim officials, and Bobov community leaders, accusing them of organized intimidation, threats, tire-slashing, and bribery to prevent truth-telling (shtetl.org).
Allegations include:
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$10M+ in asset transfers to avoid financial prosecution.
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Supportive letters from religious figures that attempted to minimize his actions.
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Judge Garaufis’s statement:
“The community has to take responsibility.” (apnews.com)
4. 🕊️ Institutional & Community Failures
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Judge Garaufis emphasized broader community responsibility:
“The defendant was a man with immense power in his community… At every stage of this crime the defendant abused that power.” (apnews.com)
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Cozy relationships with NYPD’s 66th Precinct and political figures enabled Daskal:
Investigations revealed connections between Shomrim leadership and NYPD officers involved in a bribery-focused gun permit scandal (forward.com). -
Daskal admitted leveraging Shomrim status to threaten victims:
Prosecutors revealed he said he had police backing and was a “big guy” in the Jewish community (apnews.com). -
Silenced by loyalty: Rabbis and community leaders allegedly wrote letters and used intimidation to suppress reports of his misconduct (forward.com).
📌 For deeper context, reference: NYPD’s 66th Precinct & Shomrim: Inside the Jacob Daskal Nexus and Civilian Patrols: Public Safety or Parallel Justice?.
5. 🔍 Why This Case Matters
This case demonstrates:
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A betrayal of trust: Daskal weaponized his authority over a vulnerable teenager.
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Silenced by loyalty: The community prioritized reputation over victim welfare.
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Need for oversight: It’s critical to regulate citizen-based patrol groups, guard against power abuse, and establish accountability.
6. 🚨 Next In The Series
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Part 3 (Late July): NYPD–Shomrim gun-permit scams & corruption (2016–2021)
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Part 4: Crown Heights: racial conflicts & community policing mistakes
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Part 5+: Survivors leading reforms, policy proposals, and independent watchdog oversight
✍️ Final Reflection
“The Daskal case is stark proof that unchecked communal authority can become tyranny. Only transparent oversight keeps protector roles from becoming predator roles.”
— Yevgen Isaac Fromer
