Charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion — three counts in total — were announced Monday by federal and local authorities against Jason Khan, the man behind FootPadNYC.com, according to NBC News.
According to a federal indictment, the alleged scheme ran from at least 2019 through 2021, with Khan, 47, using the promise of paid foot-modeling work to draw women to hotel rooms in New York City. The indictment says he then raped or sexually assaulted the women upon their arrival, ignoring their objections and refusals.
According to prosecutors, two of the women were vaginally penetrated by Khan, while a third had her feet forced onto his penis. All three went to law enforcement with their accounts, and hospital rape kit examinations were conducted in the cases of two of the victims, NBC News reported.
"We commend the victims for their courage in coming forward, and we urge anyone else who has been a victim of Khan, or knows anything about his alleged crimes, to do the same," U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, according to NBC News. "Our investigation is ongoing."
The Southern District of New York's spokesperson, Nicholas Biase, said the investigation has pointed to possible additional victims in the Albany, New York area, where Khan also lives. People with information about Khan's alleged conduct are being asked to reach out to the FBI or complete a dedicated FBI questionnaire linked to the case.
A conviction on even one count would carry a mandatory minimum of 15 years behind bars, with a potential sentence of life in prison. NBC News reported that attempts to reach Khan's attorney for comment were not returned.