Man Indicted for Sex Crimes Against Minors in Beit Shemesh Ritual Bath and Synagogues
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Yechiel Yehoshua Brand, a 33-year-old Beit Shemesh resident, was indicted on Tuesday for committing sexual offenses against four minors aged 13 to 16. The alleged crimes, including indecent assault, occurred between 2022 and 2024 in locations such as a ritual bath, synagogues, and public places. The indictment details specific incidents of unwanted touching during prayer and in the ritual bath. The investigation was handled by the Israel Police.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yechiel Yehoshua Brand, 33, was indicted for sex crimes against four minors in Beit Shemesh.
- The alleged offenses occurred between 2022 and 2024 in synagogues, a ritual bath, and public places.
- Victims were minors aged 13 to 16.
- Charges include indecent assault and indecent assault on a minor under 14.
- The Israel Police investigated the case.
- The indictment was filed by the State Prosecutor's Office.
A 33-year-old resident of Beit Shemesh, Yechiel Yehoshua Brand, has been indicted for committing sexual offenses against four minors aged 13 to 16. The indictment, filed Tuesday by the State Prosecutor's Office in the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, details alleged acts of indecent assault and indecent assault on a minor under 14, along with attempted indecent assault.
According to the charges, Brand exploited various opportunities between 2022 and 2024 to commit these acts in sensitive locations such as a ritual bath (mikveh), synagogues, and other public places within the city. The investigation was conducted by the Israel Police's Beit Shemesh station.
One particularly disturbing incident described in the indictment occurred during a synagogue prayer service, where Brand allegedly pressed himself against a minor and touched his genitals multiple times. Despite the minor's attempts to move away, Brand reportedly continued the assault for an extended period, even following the victim to another area of the synagogue to touch him again.
Further allegations include Brand touching a minor's genitals after the latter emerged from the ritual bath's immersion pool, and touching another minor's buttocks in a changing area. Additional indecent acts were allegedly committed against another minor in the ritual bath and a supermarket.
The indictment was filed by prosecutor Bracha Ben Adret-Zerachia of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office.
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