NYC Gazette

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Shymell Ephron, also known as "Shy," with two counts of coercion and enticement of minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five drug-trafficking counts. These include two counts of using a minor to distribute narcotics and two counts of distributing narcotics to a minor. Ephron was arrested today and will be presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: “As alleged, Shymell Ephron raped and sexually abused two teenagers he found in Times Square, plied them with drugs and alcohol, and directed them to sell his drugs on the streets of New York City. This Office is committed to keeping New York City safe from sexual predators, and thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office, Ephron has now been arrested and charged for his egregious conduct.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis commented: “Shymell Ephron allegedly targeted two minor female victims for repeated sexual abuse, using illicit substances to encourage cooperation. He directed them to participate in his unlawful drug trafficking operation by exploiting their innocence for nefarious purposes, as alleged. Along with our law enforcement partners, the FBI remains committed to apprehending sexual predators and eliminating sources of illegal narcotics in our city.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban added: “The charges leveled against this alleged predator are the result of NYPD investigators and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners working together to protect everyone in our community, especially young victims. I commend the members of the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and the prosecutors at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for their continued focus on holding accountable individuals who allegedly target children.”

As alleged in public court filings, statements at public court proceedings, and the indictment:

Ephron and his co-conspirators have distributed narcotics, including ecstasy and crack cocaine since at least May 2024 in Times Square and other locations in New York City. Ephron has also offered and provided narcotics including ecstasy and cocaine to others in an effort to have sex with them.

On or about May 17, 2024, Ephron approached two teenage girls in Times Square while he and a co-conspirator were selling drugs. Ephron convinced the two girls to follow him to his residence in Harlem where they stayed with him for several days.

Ephron engaged in multiple acts of forcible rape, forcible touching, sexual abuse, and sex with a minor while they were staying at his apartment. He repeatedly provided them with ecstasy, marijuana, alcohol; directed them to sell his drugs on New York City's streets; provided a cellphone to monitor their whereabouts; directed them to sell narcotics; persuaded them to return each night so he could engage in unlawful sexual conduct with them.

Law enforcement agents from FBI and NYPD eventually rescued these girls.

There may be more victims related to this alleged conduct. If you have information to report contact FBI through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.

Ephron is charged with:

- Two counts of coercion/enticement of a minor (mandatory minimum sentence: 10 years; maximum potential sentence: life).

- One count of narcotics conspiracy (maximum potential sentence: 20 years).

- Two counts distributing narcotics using a minor (mandatory minimum sentence: one year; maximum potential sentence: 45 years).

- Two counts distributing narcotics to a minor (mandatory minimum sentence: one year; maximum potential sentence: 40 years).

Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on congressional guidelines.

Mr. Williams praised FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force's work alongside NYPD's efforts while thanking New York State Police/Yorktown Police Department's assistance during investigation.

This case is being handled by Violent/Organized Crime Unit under Assistant U.S Attorneys Ryan W Allison/Michael R Herman leading prosecution.

Charges contained within indictment are accusations only - defendant presumed innocent unless proven guilty.