Ron Frankel, 68, Is Accused Of Flying Iowa Teen To Delray Beach For Sex. But The Jury Isn’t So Sure.
UPDATE at 5:54 p.m. — A mistrial was just declared in the case. Unclear if federal prosecutors will re-file and try again.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher | DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A jury hearing the federal “transport of a minor with intent for criminal sexual activity” case against Seven Bridges homeowner Ron Frankel is deadlocked as of late Wednesday afternoon. Frankel, 68, was arrested in an early morning FBI raid of his West Delray Beach home last summer. He is accused of flying a 17 year old girl from Des Moines, IA to his West Delray Beach home for a weekend of sex in his house and in his hot tub.
But through court filings reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com — and reported on over the past few months — Frankel is taking the “I didn’t know she was 17” defense combined with the “I didn’t fly her here” defense. He claims that Tinder — the online service that he used to meet young women looking for “sugar daddies” — has a requirement that users be at least 18. He claims he had no way to know that the alleged victim was 17. He also say he did not pay for her ticket to Florida.
Refusing to enter into a plea agreement, Frankel pushed federal prosecutors to expedite the case. They did. The trial has been underway since earlier this week. The jury Wednesday sent these messages to Magistrate Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks:
One of the main issues, as seen in the jury note above: is Frankel really responsible if the 17-year-old girl bought a ticket on her own, got to the Des Moines Airport, and flew to Palm Beach International on her own. Frankel’s argument: that’s not transporting a minor for sex. Prosecutors: yes it is.
Court is done for the day. We’ll update where there is more. Read our previous reporting on Ron Frankel here.
