Rabbi arrested for sending explicit photos to someone he thought was only 16 on Grindr
Aryeh Cohen was arrested during a sex trafficking sting earlier this year
By Steve Brown
A rabbi has been arrested after exchanging explicit photos with someone claiming to be a 16-year-old boy on Grindr.
Aryeh Cohen, 44, from Minneapolis, was arrested in a sex trafficking sting earlier this year when he started a conversation back in February with someone he believed to be a young teenage boy, the Star Tribune reported.
However, his conversation was actually with a law enforcement officer and allegedly told Cohen he was only a minor but the rabbi replied: “It’s a little illegal” before describing sexual acts.
The two arranged to meet and it was there he was arrested by authorities in the car park, according to the court files.
Cohen allegedly told police, “I sort of deserve it” while being arrested.
At the time, he was working as a rabbi and youth outreach director at the Minneapolis Community Kollel.
A spokesperson said: “The Kollel is deeply concerned about the health and well-being of our students, staff, and broader community and we hope and pray for healing and wellness for all who have been or may be affected during this troubling and difficult time.”
Cohen has been charged with one count of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct through electronic communication, and one count of engaging in electronic communication describing sexual conduct with a child.