Rabbi Arrested in Underage Sex Sting

A rabbi was apprehended along with seven other men for allegedly attempting to arrange sexual encounters with minors, and he possessed a troubling item at the time of his arrest.

This sting operation was executed by the New York State Police in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation from August 27 to 28 in Onondaga County.

The involved individuals reportedly communicated through text messages, believing they were arranging meetings with a teenager.

The group, all facing charges of attempted second-degree rape, was identified in a state police announcement.

Documents from the court revealed that an undercover officer acted as a 14 or 15-year-old during this operation. The men set up sexual encounters using messaging platforms, under the impression that they were conversing with a young teen.

Each of the men had arranged for encounters either in hotel rooms or parking lots located in Syracuse, Liverpool, or Salina.

“Each one of these individuals came in contact with law enforcement during their search for an actual child,” stated Jarrett Woodfork, an Assistant District Attorney for Onondaga County.

Rabbi Peter Schaktman was specifically arrested for attempting to meet a person he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. Reports indicated that he had brought along sex lubricant.

On August 27, the first four men were arrested:

• Jarod M. Groah, 42, from Frankfort, NY
• William D. Sheehan, 53, from Syracuse, NY
• John L. Dejesus, 34, from Syracuse, NY
• Xiaoqing Qi, 37, from Syracuse, NY

Three additional arrests were made on August 28:

• Marvin D. Knapp, 44, from Syracuse, NY
• William D. Whitfield, 41, from Seneca Falls, NY
• Kevin M. Lapoint, 65, from Cicero, NY

In response to the alarming allegations, Temple Emanu-El, a Jewish temple located in Utica, announced the rabbi’s suspension and emphasized its cooperation with law enforcement.

“Temple Emanu-El is shocked and deeply troubled by the serious criminal charges involving Rabbi Peter Schaktman,” they expressed. The temple acknowledged that this news could provoke feelings of sadness, confusion, and anger among its members and the wider community, and they extended thoughts to those who might be affected.

It’s noteworthy that the arrests of the eight men occurred in distinct and separate cases.