Brooklyn Man Raped, Filmed, Blackmailed Teens: Prosecutors

PROSPECT PARK SOUTH, BROOKLYN — A Brooklyn man who promised teenaged girls money for sex, then blackmailed them with video he took of the act, was charged on rape charges in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Wednesday, prosecutors said.

Phyllip Bertrand, 26, told three teenagers on Facebook his name was “Coolen Jay” and that he would pay them up to $20,000 to have sex with his friend Teddy, prosecutors said.

One 15-year-old girl agreed to sleep with Teddy — who was actually Bertrand — in April 2017, but when she complained that she hadn’t been paid, Bertrand posted video of her having sex on a porn website and sent the link to her schoolmates, prosecutors said.

The 15-year-old only discovered what Bertrand had done when her principal found the video and called police, prosecutors said.

The resultant investigation revealed that “Coolen Jay” had targeted another 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl, both of whom agreed to have sex with Teddy for money and neither of whom was paid, prosecutors said.

“Coolen Jay” was arraigned in January on charges of rape, sexual misconduct, use of a child in a sexual performance, promoting a sexual performance by a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Brooklyn prosecutors said.

And on Wednesday, Bertrand was charged on a second indictment with 10 counts of rape, five counts of sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child, prosecutors said.

The Prospect Park South resident is being held on a $600,000 bail for both indictments, prosecutors said.

“This defendant is allegedly a sexual predator who targeted vulnerable young girls in a cruel scheme,” said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

“Parents and social media users should be aware that there are many predators trolling the internet for victims, who are then preyed upon, and should always closely monitor online activity.

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office asked anyone with information about other victims call police at (646) 872-7609.

Bertrand’s attorney was not immediately available to comment.

Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.