"A Brooklyn youth basketball coach was arrested Thursday on federal charges alleging he paid minors, including at least one he met through a church-run program, to produce explicit material that he shared through an encrypted messaging app. Michael Jafferakos, who has coached and later served as commissioner for the Catholic basketball league since 2017, was taken into custody Sept. 25 after Homeland Security Investigations agents searched his Brooklyn home."
"Investigators allege Jafferakos admitted to paying multiple minors to produce sexually explicit material between July 2024 and September 2025. An attorney for Jafferakos did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication. The Diocese of Brooklyn said that following his arrest, Jafferakos was immediately suspended from all involvement with the Our Lady of Grace Gravesend Athletic Association, where he served on the executive board and as Intramural Basketball Commissioner. He has also had all program and facility access revoked."
Federal prosecutors allege Michael Jafferakos paid minors, including at least one met through a church-run basketball program, to produce sexually explicit material which he shared via an encrypted messaging app. He was arrested on Sept. 25 after Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a search of his Brooklyn home, and a magistrate judge ordered him detained. Investigators say agents seized at least nine electronic devices and found hundreds of illicit images and videos on at least one device. Court documents state Jafferakos admitted to paying multiple minors between July 2024 and September 2025 and often acted at the direction of another man identified as "Anthony." The Diocese of Brooklyn suspended him immediately, revoked program and facility access, and affirmed commitment to youth safety.
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