Teen Accused of Sexual Assault, Blackmail, and Distributing Victim's Images

A severe indictment is expected in the coming days against a 14-year-old boy suspected of sexually assaulting a minor, blackmailing her, and distributing recordings of the acts to his friends. The case began in August when the Bat Yam police received a report about a minor being blackmailed with threats to perform sexual acts with the boy, under threat of harm if she refused. The youth investigation unit launched an inquiry following the complaint. Investigators suspect the teenager befriended the victim on TikTok, exploited her, and threatened her with harm if she did not comply with his demands. Furthermore, the suspect allegedly recorded the sexual assault and shared the video with his friends. The suspect was arrested as the investigation moved into its public phase, and his detention was extended. Last week, on September 1, he was released to house arrest.

Separately, the prosecution filed an indictment today in the Haifa District Court against a man in his 50s from Tiberias, accused of committing numerous severe sexual offenses against two siblings, aged 9, approximately two decades ago. The defendant is charged with sodomy of a minor, indecent acts with minors, causing indecent acts to a minor, and false imprisonment. He also allegedly assaulted the sister several years later, outside of Israel. The indictment, filed by attorney Ilana Pickus Roitblatt of the Haifa District Prosecution (Criminal), states that the defendant "formed a very close relationship with the siblings' mother, gaining her trust and that of her children. Within this relationship, he falsely presented himself as a therapeutic professional." It further details that "by exploiting the close relationship with their mother, the trust placed in him, and the young age of the siblings, the defendant committed various sexual offenses against them over time and with high frequency. In some instances, he prevented the brother from leaving the location where they were and instructed him to keep the acts secret." The defendant faces charges including sodomy of a minor, indecent acts with minors, causing indecent acts to a minor, and false imprisonment.