Long Island Man Convicted of Attempted Sex Trafficking, Attempted Kidnapping, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Obstruction of Justice

 

Two Victims Escaped by Jumping from the Defendant’s Moving Car

 Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Andrew Frey pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay to being a felon in possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice.  Today’s guilty plea follows the defendant’s conviction by a federal jury of the attempted sex trafficking and attempted kidnapping of two victims.  The verdict in that case was returned on September 20, 2022 after two weeks of trial before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.  When sentenced, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and up to life in prison. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the guilty plea and verdict.  

“Frey targeted and used violence against vulnerable members of our society seeking to exploit them for his own sexual gratification,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Fortunately, the young women whom the defendant sought to victimize were able to escape.  Today’s guilty plea, and the jury’s verdict, make clear there was no escape from justice for this dangerous defendant.” 

Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance.

“The victims in this case jumped from a moving vehicle rather than risk the fate Frey had waiting for them. Based on the weapons investigators discovered, Frey's intent was dangerous, if not deadly. These women should be commended for their bravery, which we hope will serve as motivation for any other women being victimized by sexual predators to call us,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

“The defendant has proven to be a dangerous individual with a propensity for preying upon and attacking vulnerable women who refuse to bend to the will of a sexual predator,” stated SCPD Commissioner Harrison.  “I commend the victims for taking action and coming forward to work with law enforcement to bring a violent and dangerous man to justice.”

As proven at trial, the defendant attempted to traffic and kidnap two women in Suffolk County.  In October 2018, the defendant lured a sex worker who was addicted to heroin into his car in Mastic, New York.  When the victim refused to accompany him to a secluded location on the beach, the defendant became enraged and threatened her life.  He tried to trap her inside his car by speeding, locking the doors and grabbing her neck.  The victim managed to escape by jumping from his moving vehicle, suffering injuries to her back when she struck the pavement.  The defendant later tracked down his victim sleeping inside of a friend’s parked car at a Long Island Railroad station.  Armed with a knife, the defendant tried to remove the victim from the car, but her friend sped away.  The defendant chased after them in his car, but the victim once again managed to escape. 

In July 2019, the defendant attempted to take a second sex worker to a secluded wooded area in Coram, New York.  When she refused, the defendant became enraged, screamed that he “owned” her and tried to prevent her from leaving by grabbing her as he was driving.  The defendant’s second victim also escaped by jumping out of his moving car, suffering injuries to her knee.   

At the time of the defendant’s arrest in November 2019, law enforcement officers searched the defendant’s car and found multiple sets of handcuffs, as well as knives, rope and other items that he could use for restraint.  The defendant had installed a device in his car which allowed him to conceal his license plate with the push of a button.  Additionally, law enforcement officers recovered a Glock 23 handgun and ammunition located in a safe inside of the defendant’s home.  Because the defendant was a convicted felon and was not legally permitted to possess a firearm, he pressured his son to obtain a pistol permit to conceal that he was the true owner of the firearm.