A Long Island man, Jimmy Francois, also known as “Bentley Bugz,” is set to be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn on charges related to sex trafficking and exploitation of a minor. The six-count indictment accuses Francois of sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe, through force, fraud, and coercion. Authorities allege that he physically assaulted the victim and used threats and violence against other women in her presence to intimidate her.
According to prosecutors, Francois created sexually explicit images of Jane Doe and posted some online as part of prostitution advertisements. He was arrested on January 29 in Miami, Florida, and brought to the Eastern District of New York by the United States Marshals Service earlier this week. His arraignment will take place before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; and Frank Russo, Director of Field Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) New York announced the arrest.
“As alleged, the defendant preyed on a vulnerable child and sold her body for his own profit, while subjecting her to physical violence and threats,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “With today’s arrest, Francois is being held to account for his cruel and depraved crimes. Our Office will continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of sex trafficking that threatens the safety of our communities.”
“As alleged, the defendant’s exploitation and trafficking of an innocent teenager — across state lines and over the course of months — can only be described as depravity in its most vile form. He hid his dark life of threats and abuse behind a facade of power and luxury. Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI New York is wholeheartedly focused on protecting victims as we relentlessly pursue those who dehumanize and debase them for their own selfish gain and satisfaction,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Alfonso.
“This case began with the vigilance of our CBP officers, who recognized indicators of possible exploitation and took action,” stated CBP Director Russo. “From that first encounter, our Task Force Officers worked tirelessly with Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and state and local law enforcement across multiple states to help identify, locate, and apprehend the defendant. Their determination and close collaboration with our partners were critical to bringing this alleged trafficker into custody and protecting a vulnerable child from further harm.”
Court filings indicate that between June 2024 and August 2024 Francois trafficked Jane Doe across several states including Queens, New York—one area within the jurisdiction covered by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Prosecutors say he forced her into commercial sex acts with multiple clients daily during this period.
Authorities recovered video evidence showing Francois assaulting Jane Doe while making threatening statements such as: “You learned and understand that me and you are not equal”; “You speak when you’re spoken to”; “I’mma violate you... you gonna have broken bones... in your hotel room. No hospital, no nothing”; “I will personally break your bones.”
The indictment’s charges are allegations; Francois is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted on all counts he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years up to life imprisonment.
The case is managed by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel A. Bennek and Molly Delaney from the Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District prosecutes federal crimes—including those involving human trafficking—and represents civil matters within its district which includes Brooklyn (where it maintains one office), Queens (where this case partly occurred), Staten Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County.
Francois is 37 years old from Elmont, New York.
