Federal prosecutors have charged Jason Khan, the owner of the foot fetish website FootPadNYC.com, with multiple federal sex trafficking offenses after alleging he used fraudulent foot modeling opportunities to lure women into Manhattan hotel rooms where they were sexually assaulted and raped.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the investigation involves multiple victims, and prosecutors allege Khan operated the scheme for years while recruiting women through online advertisements promising legitimate employment.
For survivors of sexual abuse, cases like this highlight how traffickers often disguise exploitation as employment opportunities. New York sexual abuse attorneys frequently represent survivors whose abuse began through deception, manipulation, and abuse of trust rather than physical force alone.
Key Takeaways
- Federal prosecutors allege Jason Khan operated FootPadNYC.com from approximately 2019 through 2021.
- Investigators allege Khan recruited women by advertising paid foot modeling jobs.
- According to the indictment, women were invited to Manhattan hotel rooms for supposed job interviews.
- Prosecutors allege Khan sexually assaulted, raped, and trafficked multiple victims during these meetings.
- The federal case alleges Khan used fraud, coercion, and manipulation to facilitate the abuse.
- Survivors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking may have both criminal and civil legal options.
- Experienced New York sexual abuse attorneys can help survivors evaluate potential claims against perpetrators and, where appropriate, businesses or entities that enabled the abuse.
What Are the Allegations Against Jason Khan?
Federal prosecutors allege that from at least 2019 through 2021, Jason Khan operated the website FootPadNYC.com, marketing what appeared to be legitimate employment opportunities for women seeking to become foot models.
The website reportedly advertised that applicants could:
“Get paid to have your feet worshipped.”
According to the federal indictment, these advertisements were not legitimate employment opportunities but were instead used to recruit women into situations where they were vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
Investigators allege that after women responded to the advertisements, Khan and others working with him arranged meetings in Manhattan hotel rooms under the guise of conducting interviews or modeling sessions.
Once victims arrived, prosecutors allege Khan sexually assaulted or raped them.
The indictment further alleges that multiple women were victimized through this scheme.
These remain allegations, and Jason Khan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Federal Sex Trafficking Charges Against Jason Khan
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Khan faces multiple federal charges, including offenses related to:
- Sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion
- Attempted sex trafficking
- Transportation related to unlawful sexual activity
Federal prosecutors allege Khan used deception and fraudulent promises of employment to gain victims’ trust before committing acts of sexual violence.
Unlike many trafficking cases, prosecutors allege this scheme relied heavily on false employment opportunities rather than traditional commercial sex advertisements.
Employment Scams Can Become Tools for Sexual Predators
Many people associate sex trafficking with kidnapping or physical restraint.
In reality, traffickers frequently rely on manipulation, deception, and false promises.
According to the allegations in this case, the victims believed they were attending legitimate modeling interviews.
Sexual predators may exploit:
- Job advertisements
- Modeling opportunities
- Casting calls
- Social media recruitment
- Professional networking platforms
- Photography sessions
- Influencer opportunities
By presenting themselves as legitimate business owners or employers, offenders may lower a victim’s guard before escalating to sexual abuse.
Grooming Can Occur in Professional Settings
Sexual grooming is not limited to schools, youth organizations, or families.
Adults can also be groomed through professional relationships and fraudulent employment opportunities.
Common grooming tactics include:
- Offering unusually high-paying jobs
- Creating a sense of urgency
- Isolating applicants during interviews
- Building false trust
- Using professional credentials to appear legitimate
- Gradually crossing personal and physical boundaries
Many survivors later report that the abuse escalated only after they believed they were participating in a legitimate business opportunity.
Contacting a New York Sexual Abuse Attorney?
A criminal prosecution seeks to determine whether someone violated criminal law.
A civil lawsuit focuses on holding wrongdoers financially accountable and helping survivors recover compensation for the harm they suffered.
Depending on the circumstances, survivors may have claims against:
- Individual perpetrators
- Businesses
- Corporate entities
- Property owners
- Organizations that enabled or ignored abuse
- Other parties whose negligence contributed to the abuse
Every case is unique, and survivors should consult experienced New York sexual abuse attorneys to evaluate their legal rights under state and federal law.
Warning Signs of Fraudulent Modeling or Employment Schemes
While many modeling agencies and businesses are legitimate, warning signs can include:
- Interviews conducted exclusively in hotel rooms
- Requests for secrecy
- Pressure to attend alone
- Sexual comments unrelated to the job
- Requests to remove clothing without a legitimate business purpose
- Last-minute changes in interview locations
- Communication that quickly becomes personal or sexual
- Payment promises that seem unusually generous
Trusting your instincts and leaving an uncomfortable situation can be an important safety measure.
Why Multiple-Victim Cases Matter
When federal investigators publicly identify multiple victims, it often encourages additional survivors to come forward.
Many survivors initially believe they were the only person harmed.
Public investigations frequently reveal patterns of conduct that span months or years and involve numerous victims who had no knowledge of one another.
Additional survivor reports can strengthen both criminal investigations and civil cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jason Khan accused of?
Federal prosecutors allege Jason Khan used a foot fetish website to recruit women for fake foot modeling jobs before sexually assaulting and trafficking them. The allegations involve multiple victims.
Has Jason Khan been convicted?
No. The charges are allegations. Jason Khan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What was FootPadNYC.com?
According to prosecutors, FootPadNYC.com advertised paid foot modeling opportunities that allegedly served as a means to recruit women for sexual exploitation.
Can survivors file civil lawsuits?
Potentially. Survivors of sexual abuse or sex trafficking may have civil claims against perpetrators and, depending on the facts, other individuals or entities that contributed to the abuse. Experienced New York sexual abuse attorneys can evaluate those claims.
Why would someone wait years before reporting sexual abuse?
Delayed disclosure is common among survivors. Fear, trauma, manipulation, shame, and concerns about not being believed often prevent survivors from reporting abuse immediately.
Contact New York Sexual Abuse Attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote
Survivors of sexual abuse and sex trafficking deserve compassionate legal guidance and experienced advocates who understand the lasting effects of trauma.
The New York sexual abuse attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote have represented survivors of childhood sexual abuse, institutional abuse, and sexual exploitation across the country. Our team understands the unique legal and emotional issues survivors face and works tirelessly to pursue accountability against perpetrators and institutions that failed to protect them.
If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or trafficking in New York, our New York sexual abuse attorneys are available to discuss your legal rights during a free and confidential consultation. You do not have to face this alone. Help is available, and justice is possible.
Contact us today.
Photo courtesy of wnty.com and FootPadNYC.com
