By:Jeff Lipton
The suspect, identified as Joseph Rizzo, of Douglas Street in Inwood, was stopped by police while driving a 1989 Pontiac on West Broadway in Cedarhurst, not far from his home, on May 26, detectives said. He was arrested and charged with third-degree rape for the incident, which occurred on April 8, according to Deputy Inspector Jay Caputo, commanding officer of the Major Offense Squads.
Rizzo had met the girl in a chat room on the Internet around April 1, and then had one or two online conversations with her before arranging a face-to-face meeting on April 8, police said. They agreed to meet in front of the International House of Pancakes on Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook, Caputo said.
Rizzo arrived in a two-door car, and after the girl entered the vehicle, he drove her around Lynbrook as they talked, Caputo said. Rizzo then drove to the rear parking lot of the Merrick train station at 9:45 p.m. and asked the girl if she wanted to have sex. "The victim refused several times, but Rizzo continued, and he eventually raped her," Caputo said.
After having sex with the victim, Rizzo reportedly drove her back to where he had picked her up, and dropped her off. When the victim returned home, she contacted a friend and called 911.
After an investigation by the First Squad and Crimes Against Property Squad, Computer Crimes Section, Rizzo was again found on the Internet, identified, located and arrested, Caputo said. "We were able to get a photograph of him, put the photos into a photo pack, and the victim ID'd him and we were able to go out and arrest him," Caputo explained. "We found him through various methods the computer crimes section would use to follow up through Internet providers."
Lynbrook Superintendent of Schools William Metkiff was shocked to learn of the incident, which may involve a Lynbrook student, since that is where the victim was picked up and dropped off by Rizzo.
"This is very frightening," said Metkiff. "We always talk to the students about the dangers of the Internet, and we hold seminars for parents as well."
This is not the first time Rizzo has been in trouble with the law after using a computer. In February 2000, at age 16, he was arrested after he allegedly transmitted child pornography over the Internet to an undercover Pennsylvania state trooper. Armed with a search warrant, police entered Rizzo's home and seized two computers that were believed to have been used to send four images of underage children engaged in sexual acts, authorities said. In that case, he was charged with possession of material showing the sexual performance of a child. Authorities would not say, however, whether he served any jail time.
Caputo explained that third-degree rape is considered statutory rape. Asked why the victim willingly got into the car with Rizzo, Caputo said, "That I can't answer. That would be something in her mind.
"I don't have any information on what their conversations were at all," he added. "She did indicate that she did say no numerous times, and he forced himself on her."
At his arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead on May 27, Rizzo did not enter a plea. He could not immediately make the $30,000 bond and was being held at the Nassau County Correctional Facility in East Meadow, where he requested protective custody, said Rick Hinshaw, a spokesman for District Attorney Denis Dillon. "Given the nature of the charges, he feels he may be in danger," Hinshaw said.
If found guilty of third-degree rape, Rizzo faces up to four years in prison, Hinshaw said, adding that an order of protection was also granted that would keep him away from the girl.
Rizzo's attorney, Sandra Mattessich of the Legal Aid Society, did not return phone calls for comment. But Rizzo's father, Joseph W. Rizzo, said he firmly believes his son, a Lawrence High School graduate, is innocent of the rape charges. "He's a good kid," he said. "He goes to work every day. We have no idea where the media is getting their information from. A murder trial doesn't get this kind of coverage."
