NY man charged in federal sex trafficking case tied to foot-model website

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(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) – A man with ties to Albany and New York City has been charged in a federal sex trafficking case after prosecutors alleged he lured aspiring foot models to Manhattan hotel rooms and sexually assaulted them.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced Tuesday that a federal grand jury indicted Jason Khan, 47, on three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

Khan was arrested Tuesday in the Northern District of New York.

Federal prosecutors said the charges stem from alleged incidents involving multiple women between 2019 and 2021.

According to the indictment, Khan operated a website called FootPadNYC.com, which advertised opportunities for aspiring foot models.

Prosecutors allege Khan used the website to recruit women by promising paid modeling opportunities and then arranged meetings in Manhattan hotel rooms under the guise of job interviews.

Once the women arrived, Khan allegedly sexually assaulted or raped them.

Federal authorities said the victims were seeking professional opportunities and were lured by promises of compensation and employment.

According to court documents, investigators identified at least three women who reported being victimized.

Prosecutors allege Khan sexually assaulted or raped the women after they arrived for scheduled interviews. Authorities said each victim expressed a lack of consent, but the alleged assaults continued.

Officials said all three women later reported the incidents to law enforcement, and two underwent sexual assault examinations at hospitals.

Federal investigators are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Khan or who has information related to the case to contact the FBI.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing.

Khan is charged with three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

If convicted, each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.