Coram Man Tried To Kidnap Sex Workers: DOJ

CORAM, NY — A Coram man tried kidnapping women sex workers and forcing them to engage in commercial sex acts on two different occasions, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Andrew Frey, 54, was arrested on Friday morning by the FBI and Suffolk County Police Department. He was charged with two counts of attempted trafficking by force and two counts of attempted kidnapping.

In two cases, Frey sought out potential victims, who the DOJ didn't name, and solicited and patronized them for commercial sex, the DOJ said. Using his cellphone, Frey arranged a subsequent meeting with the women and then, using both force and threats of force, he tried taking the women, who strongly objected, to a secluded location, the DOJ said. Both women separately managed to escape Frey by jumping from his moving vehicle, but were injured in the process, according to the DOJ.

Even after they escaped, Frey tried contacting both women, "making clear that he is an ongoing threat to these victims and others," the DOJ wrote. In the case of one of the women who escaped, Frey, armed with a weapon, tried to snatch her back by force, though the woman was able to flee, the DOJ said.

Frey has shown a history of being violent against women, according to the DOJ. In addition to the two above cases, other sex workers have reported violent encounters with Frey, according to the DOJ. One victim asked for and got an order of protection against Frey after he intentionally rammed his car into hers, which she reported Frey violated by calling her and leaving threatening voicemails, the DOJ said.

Frey has previously been convicted of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal mischief and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (a felony), according to the DOJ.

If convicted of the current charges against him, Frey faces a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.

The DOJ called the evidence against Frey "exceedingly strong." Items seized from Frey's home included rope, zip ties and manuals on knot tying; phone records and photographs documenting the injuries sustained during his actions, the DOJ said.

Frey is married with two adult children, according to the DOJ. He has a Facebook page under the name "Andy Still," and he is employed as a manager at an aircraft components factory called Sage Manufacturing, the DOJ said.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Friday.