No bail for Philly restaurateur charged with molesting young girl

Restaurateur Alex Capasso, accused of molesting and taking sexually explicit photographs of a young girl, was described in court Monday as a "violent sociopath" by the child's mother, who asked a federal judge in Camden to turn down his request for bail.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen M. Williams agreed that Capasso, 42, of Collingswood, should remain jailed pending trial because of the severity of the crimes and the age of the victims, and because he would pose a threat to the community. The judge said she also believes Capasso is a flight risk.

Capasso said he sought bail because he did not feel safe in prison. The judge advised Capasso that safety concerns should be addressed to the federal Bureau of Prisons.

During the hearing, Capasso's defense attorney, Gilbert J. Scutti, entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of his client. Scutti said that if his client was allowed to post bail, he would remain on supervised release under the guardianship of his parents, Richard and Bonita, who also live in Collingswood.

The Williamses were in U.S. District Court sitting behind their son, who was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs and a prison uniform, a contrast from his days in chef's attire in restaurants in Philadelphia and South Jersey.

The victim's mother told the judge she worried what would happen if Capasso was released.

"Alex is a violent sociopath who I believe would try to harm my family if given the opportunity," said the mother, who was not identified in court to protect the identity of her daughter. Capasso is accused of sexually molesting the 5-year-old girl, photographing her, and making videos of the girl engaged in sexual activity with a boy about the same age. Officials did not specify whether the children are related.

The mother of the girl told the judge that Capasso was physically, sexually, and verbally abusive.

"He made threats to kill my children, my husband, myself, my mother, and my nephew if she [the daughter] ever told anyone about the crimes he was committing," said the mother, her voice at times shaking while her husband - the victim's father - comforted her.

"Alex Capasso is a horrible, violent, soulless person who would not think twice about causing extreme harm to a person," she said.

Capasso was jailed about a year ago after he was charged by authorities in Washington conducting an undercover sting. Capasso allegedly responded to an internet posting by "perv dad" offering sex with his 9-year-old daughter. During the investigation, Capasso allegedly sent sexually explicit images to an FBI agent.

When authorities raided his home, they found the BlackBerry he was using while communicating with the agent. They also found on Capasso's devices, including his laptop, hundreds of pornographic images featuring children, Assistant Prosecutor Diana Carrig told the judge. Most of the images, Carrig said, were downloaded from the internet, but investigators also found the photos and videos of the girl and boy.

The case was transferred to New Jersey, and last week, Capasso was charged in a seven-count indictment handed up by a grand jury. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

According to the indictment, he conspired with his ex-girlfriend to create the sexually explicit photos and videos that were transmitted to the federal agent last July.

Carrig told the judge that Capasso also e-mailed and sent text messages to the FBI agent saying he was looking forward to the birth of his daughter and having sexual encounters with the infant.

Capasso's former girlfriend is also charged but is not being identified by the Inquirer to protect the identities of the victims.

Carrig said Capasso has had problems with alcohol and drug abuse, and told authorities he struggles with mental illness. Carrig also told the judge that Capasso has a criminal history that started when he was 23 and was charged with seven counts of sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl who worked for him. Carrig said charges were downgraded to disorderly conduct by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and he was placed on probation for a year.

At the time of his July 20, 2015, arrest, Capasso's business partners said they were shocked to learn of the charges. Capasso was running the kitchen for Crow and the Pitcher, a wine bar south of Rittenhouse Square. He previously worked at the now-defunct Blackbird Dining Establishment in Collingswood.

bboyer@phillynews.com

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