An accomplished Philadelphia restaurateur has been arrested and charged in a federal child pornography investigation after allegedly exchanging photos of a nude prepubescent girl with an undercover officer who established contact with him via an online bulletin.
Alexander Capasso, a chef at popular locations such as Rittenhouse Square's Crow & the Pitcher and the former Blackbird Dining Establishment in Collingswood, was arrested Monday at his Collingswood home and charged with Distribution of Child Pornography. If convicted, Capasso faces a minimum mandatory prison sentence of five years.
In the course of the investigation, detailed in U.S. court filings, Capasso allegedly told the undercover officer that he had repeatedly engaged in sexual activities with a 5-year-old girl. Authorities said Capasso then exchanged photographs with the undercover detective and advanced the dialogue to communication by cell phone.
In one exchange, Capasso allegedly told the undercover officer that there were "NO LIMITS" to what he might be seeking, including "the illegal stuff." When detectives later searched Capasso's cell phone, they allege to have discovered non-sexual photos of the same prepubescent girl in public settings.
Capasso was trained at Brasserie Perrier and emerged as a chef in New Jersey with spots including Max's and Misto before gaining recognition with the well-reviewed Blackbird Dining Establishment in Collingswood.
Capasso will be detained in Washington, D.C., where the investigation was based, since the offense involved a minor and because Distribution of Child Pornography is considered an act of violence requiring an assurance of safety to the community.
A voice recording for Crow & the Pitcher indicates that the business remains open and will proceed without interruption.