May 14, 2018 - 5:54 AM
NEW YORK - Prosecutors say the leader of a safety patrol in Brooklyn's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community has been arrested on charges he sexually abused a teenage girl.
Jacob Daskal is the head of the shomrim — a patrol that is not part of the New York Police Department but serves as an enhanced neighbourhood watch for the community.
According to the New York Times , Daskal was arrested late last week and charged with statutory rape, sexual abuse and other crimes. Police say the crimes took place at his home and involved a 15-year-old girl.
Daskal pleaded not guilty at a court hearing on Friday. A message requesting comment has been left with his attorney.
The shomrim has been around since the 1970s and has a close relationship with law enforcement.
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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com
News from © The Associated Press, 2018