A Manhattan flag football coach was busted for luring kids with cash and presents into sending him nude photos and videos of themselves on Snapchat, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Benvontay Fogler, 27, asked at least four kids he coached — ages 12 to 15 — to send him the illicit content, coaxing them with gifts and money sent through Cashapp, with the payments ranging from hundreds of dollars to $1,600 in one case, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Over the course of several months, Folger “repeatedly requested” a 13-year-old boy send him photos of his genitals, paying him $1,600, the complaint alleges.
The boy instead sent Fogler photos “of other genitals he found on the internet,” the court papers claim.
Fogler — also a camp counselor — carried out the depraved conduct beginning at least in June, and was arrested on Oct. 26, the DA’s office said.
He was charged in a 20-count indictment with use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony; promoting a sexual performance by a child as a sexually motivated felony; endangering the welfare of a child; and related crimes.
“As alleged, this flag football coach used his access to children to gain their trust and paid them to send him explicit images and videos,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
“While this case began with an initial report, more survivors came forward with similar accounts.”
Fogler was released on Nov. 9 on $50,000 cash or $300,000 bond, jail records show.
He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty Thursday to the indictment in Manhattan Supreme Court.
A spokesperson with Public Defenders — which represents Fogler — declined to comment.
