A 37-year-old Long Island rapper known as Bentley Bugz was indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl, coercing her into prostitution across multiple states and producing child sexual abuse material, authorities announced.
The investigation was prompted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers who identified indicators of possible exploitation during an initial encounter, according to the Justice Department press release.
New York rap artist Jimmy Francois aka Bentley Bugz was arraigned on a six-count CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING indictment March 6 following a multiagency investigation that included ICE HSI.
Francois allegedly sex trafficked a 16-year-old girl throughout multiple states — forcing her… pic.twitter.com/oWlTNWbLP7
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) March 10, 2026
Bugz, the stage name of Jimmy Francois, of Elmont, New York, faces a six-count indictment returned in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He was arraigned March 6 in Brooklyn federal court before Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky and pleaded not guilty.
The charges include sex trafficking of a minor using force, fraud and coercion; coercing and enticing a minor; sexually exploiting a child; and interstate prostitution. If convicted, Francois faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to life imprisonment.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, between June 2024 and August 2024, Francois allegedly sex trafficked the victim, identified as Jane Doe, forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts with multiple clients per day in locations including Queens, New York, and in other states. He used physical assaults, threats and intimidation—including assaulting other women in her presence—to compel compliance.
Investigators recovered a video in which Francois allegedly assaulted and threatened the teen, making 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,” and “I will personally break your bones.”
Prosecutors allege Francois created sexually explicit images and videos of the victim, posting some online in prostitution advertisements for financial gain.
CBP referred the matter to Homeland Security Investigations, ICE’s investigative arm, which took the lead in a multiagency probe.
“This case began with the vigilance of our CBP officers, who recognized indicators of possible exploitation and took action,” said Frank Russo, director of field operations for CBP in New York. “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.”
Francois was arrested Jan. 29 in Miami, Florida, and transported to New York by the U.S. Marshals Service for arraignment.
“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,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said. “With today’s arrest, Francois is being held to account for his cruel and depraved crimes.”
HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso described the alleged conduct as “depravity in its most vile form,” adding that Francois “hid his dark life of threats and abuse behind a facade of power and luxury.”
As the lead federal agency combating human trafficking, ICE-HSI is asking the public to learn the signs of child trafficking, and report tips to 877-4-HSI-TIP.
