Alexander Capasso was arrested a year ago.
CAMDEN -- A former Collingwood chef arrested last year on child pornography charges has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Alex Capasso (Star-Ledger File Photo)
Alexander Capasso was indicted this week on charges of conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors allege that he conspired with ex-girlfriend Janine Kelly between November 2011 and October 2012 to persuade a juvenile boy and girl to engage in sexually explicitly conduct while taking photos of the acts. The indictment goes on to allege that the images were shared with others.
Capasso allegedly exchanged images of a 5-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy with undercover investigators.
Officials identified Capasso based on his cellphone number.
Seized as part of the investigation were two mini-tapes, a Blackberry phone, a Toshiba laptop and an iPhone.
Capasso, who owned and operated restaurants in Collingwood and Philadelphia, is being held in a federal detention facility in Philadelphia but is seeking transfer to his parents' home in Collingwood. He claims he faces "substantial danger" if he remains in the Philly facility.
Per documents filed on his behalf, Capasso said he is "prepared to show that he is not a danger to the community, but instead, his current community poses a substantial danger to him."
His bid will be heard in court on July 11, the same day he will be arraigned on the child pornography charges.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.