Foot Fetish Website Operator Faces Federal Charges
A man accused of operating a foot fetish website has been indicted on sex trafficking charges. Authorities claim that he enticed aspiring foot models to a hotel room in New York City, where he allegedly assaulted them.
Jason Kahn, 47, already had a previous arrest for rape in Manhattan in 2019. This week, he was arrested again, facing three counts related to forced sex trafficking, as reported by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
According to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, Kahn attracted victims with high-paying offers to model feet, only to then violently assault them. “As alleged, he did not hesitate to harm those who trusted him,” he stated.
Clayton voiced appreciation for the victims’ bravery in coming forward and called on others with any information about Kahn’s actions to step forward as well. The investigation is still ongoing.
Kahn ran FootPadNYC.com from 2019 to 2021, posting ads looking for foot models and luring individuals interested in getting paid for having their feet worshiped.
It is alleged that he set up meetings with prospective models. On at least three occasions, women seeking professional opportunities were drawn to his Manhattan hotel rooms with promises of additional earnings.
Upon arrival, he is said to have raped or assaulted these women.
He has faced similar charges in the past. In one instance, a blind woman reported being lured to a hotel room where she was allegedly assaulted after consuming “green gummy bears” that made her unconscious. That case was later sealed, according to police.
Kahn, who divides his time between Albany and Manhattan, could face a minimum of 15 years and potentially life in prison if found guilty of the current charges.
The recent arrest resulted from a collaborative investigation by federal prosecutors, the FBI, and the New York City Police Department. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the city’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from such predators, stating, “We will not allow this kind of exploitation to occur.”
