A Brooklyn man has been charged with interstate prostitution, Hobbs Act robbery, kidnapping, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, witness tampering, and obstruction of an official proceeding. This 20-count superseding indictment was filed Wednesday in federal court.
The defendant has been identified as Chad Barclay. Barclay was arrested in May 2023 and ordered detained pending trial. If convicted of kidnapping, Barclay faces up to 20 years in prison.
“As alleged, the defendant is a dangerous criminal who sexually assaulted and robbed multiple vulnerable women while using fear to make them his prisoners,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “I commend the prosecutors and FBI Special Agents for bringing this serial offender to justice. Anyone who believes they are a victim of a crime committed by Barclay is asked to contact the United States Attorney’s Office or the FBI.”
According to the evidence, Barclay engaged in a criminal pattern of enticing women, some of whom were contacted through online escort websites, to meet with him, and then sexually assaulting and/or robbing them. Barclay sexually assaulted multiple female victims, instilling fear and confining them for hours in his Brooklyn apartment. On several occasions, Barclay stole the victims’ bank cards and used them to make unauthorized ATM withdrawals.
Barclay made several victims to unlock their phones so he could take control of the phones and transfer thousands of dollars to himself through various financial platforms. In some cases, Barclay used that phone access to gather personal information about them, including where they lived and whether they had children, to further coerce them into complying with his demands.
“Barclay is alleged to have callously sexually assaulted, robbed multiple women, or both through threats of violence and coercion. This type of criminal behavior has no place in our communities. Today’s indictment serves as a notice to any individual who willingly uses threats and intimidation to commit sexual assault and other violent crimes—the FBI will ensure you face punishment in the criminal justice system,” said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith.
If you are a victim or have information, there are several ways to contact the FBI: send a tip online at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
