Ex-Haredi patrol chief Rotter charged with serious sex offenses against four victims

State prosecutors file charges against suspected rapist Chaim Rotter, former head of the Shomrim volunteer security patrol in Bnei Brak, following his arrest earlier this month.

He is charged with serious sexual offenses against four complainants in the Tel Aviv District Court. One of the victims was a 15-year-old boy at the time of the alleged assault.

Prosecutors claim that Rotter “exploited his position in the Shomrim organization… in order to carry out sexual offenses” against the complainants during his 15 years as chairman.

Many of his victims were young volunteers in the patrol, whom he recruited and and took on patrols around the streets of Bnei Brak, prosecutors say. Rotter also maintained deep ties with Bnei Brak police officers, which he capitalized on to evade justice.

“Rotter became a well-known public figure and gained status and power in the eyes of the city’s public,” reads today’s indictment.

Rotter, whose alleged assaults span decades, was arrested Wednesday at Ben Gurion Airport as he arrived back in Israel. A gag order on his identity was lifted the next day. Rotter is suspected of forcing himself on victims as young as 12 years old.

At least a dozen people have filed police complaints against Rotter for sexual assault, Hebrew outlets reported earlier this month; however, prosecutors only filed charges in connection with four of the victims.