July 12, 2016
Source/crowandthepitcher.com
Restaurateur Alex Capasso, seen in the kitchen at Crow & the Pitcher in Center City.
Collingswood celebrity chef Alex Capasso is staying put -- in federal custody -- awaiting trial on charges he molested a child.
Capasso's bid for home release to his parents, pending trial, was shot down Monday.
The chef at popular locations like Rittenhouse Square's Crow & the Pitcher and the former Blackbird Dining Establishment in Collingswood was indicted last week and arraigned Monday.
Charges include conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for the exploitation charge, a minimum of five years on each distribution charge and a maximum of 10 years behind bars for the possession charge. He is now 42.
A federal magistrate made the decision against bail and release after hearing from the child's mother, who referred to Capasso as a "horrible, violent, soulless person."
According to authorities, Capasso came to know the child through the little girl's aunt, whom he had dated.
"Alex is a violent sociopath who I believe would try to harm my family if given the opportunity," the woman told Magistrate Judge Karen Williams, according to NJ.com.
"While he was in a relationship with my sister, he used extreme physical, sexual and verbal abuse against my sister."
Capasso said little but repeatedly shook his head each time his ex-girlfriend's role in the alleged incidents was brought up, according to NJ.com.
He pleaded not guilty.
He was arrested via an online sting last July.
To read the entire NJ.com story, click here.
