Kenny Guido
Well-known member
Cops: Magician secretly photographed girls
BY SOPHIA CHANG | [email protected] 10:25 PM EDT, August 21, 2008
Magician and photographer Robert Infantino, 50, is led out of Fifth Precinct stationhouse, heading for arraignment in Central Islip criminal court to answer charges in video-spying on a mother and her two daughters. (Photo by James Carbone / August 21, 2008)
A Central Islip man who called himself "Long Island's Favorite Magician" and who was a frequent school performer pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he secretly videotaped a woman and her two daughters changing outfits at his home photo studio, authorities said.
Investigators said they suspect there may be additional victims.
At district court in Central Islip, Robert "Bob" Infantino, 50, of 4 Springfield Circle, was ordered held on bail of $180,000 cash or $360,000 bond. He is due back in court on Tuesday.
District Judge Gerard Asher also issued temporary orders of protection for the woman and her two daughters.
During the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney John Cortes said that investigators seized a computer from Infantino's home and discovered hard-core child pornography.
Infantino was represented by a Legal Aid attorney, who noted that Infantino could only be arraigned on the three current charges of unlawful surveillance, and that he had not been charged with possession of child pornography.
The Suffolk County district attorney's office declined to comment Thursday on whether Infantino will face additional charges.
Calls placed to Legal Aid were not answered. Infantino's brother appeared in court on his behalf, but declined to speak with reporters.
Police said Infantino, who also owns a photography business, was arrested at his home Wednesday after the unidentified woman and her daughters, ages 9 and 14, filed a complaint.
Police said the trio went to Infantino's home on July 22 for a portrait-style "free photo shoot" when the 14-year-old girl noticed a camera hidden in a cardboard box in a changing room.
Police said Infantino had secretly videotaped the woman and her daughters while they were changing outfits at .Infantino's request, including bathing suits.
Lt. Stanley Grodski said that Infantino "made various props" to disguise the camera. He added that Infantino took photos in a downstairs studio and an upstairs room. The videotapes show footage of other people, Grodski said. "We feel that there are other victims out there."
Infantino's Web site lists past performances at several schools in Nassau and Suffolk, and organizations including Newsday. It was unclear Thursday whether Infantino had ever actually performed at a Newsday event because the newspaper's event archives are limited.
Infantino also claimed to be affiliated with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
"He is one of many independent subcontractors who performed on a limited basis for Eastern Suffolk BOCES' Arts in Education Program," said Jeanine Uttaro, a spokeswoman for the program. "He has been suspended from our list of service providers."
Susan Smith, a spokeswoman for Western Suffolk BOCES, said that Infantino has never performed at any of its programs. Officials with Nassau BOCES did not respond to questions Thursday.
"It's the most disgusting thing in the world," said April Scalisi, a mother of two students at a Northport elementary school where Infantino has performed.
"I prefer that schools don't have anyone come in except who's supposed to come in," she said. "If I want them to go to a magic show, I'll take them myself."
BY SOPHIA CHANG | [email protected] 10:25 PM EDT, August 21, 2008
Magician and photographer Robert Infantino, 50, is led out of Fifth Precinct stationhouse, heading for arraignment in Central Islip criminal court to answer charges in video-spying on a mother and her two daughters. (Photo by James Carbone / August 21, 2008)
A Central Islip man who called himself "Long Island's Favorite Magician" and who was a frequent school performer pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he secretly videotaped a woman and her two daughters changing outfits at his home photo studio, authorities said.
Investigators said they suspect there may be additional victims.
At district court in Central Islip, Robert "Bob" Infantino, 50, of 4 Springfield Circle, was ordered held on bail of $180,000 cash or $360,000 bond. He is due back in court on Tuesday.
District Judge Gerard Asher also issued temporary orders of protection for the woman and her two daughters.
During the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney John Cortes said that investigators seized a computer from Infantino's home and discovered hard-core child pornography.
Infantino was represented by a Legal Aid attorney, who noted that Infantino could only be arraigned on the three current charges of unlawful surveillance, and that he had not been charged with possession of child pornography.
The Suffolk County district attorney's office declined to comment Thursday on whether Infantino will face additional charges.
Calls placed to Legal Aid were not answered. Infantino's brother appeared in court on his behalf, but declined to speak with reporters.
Police said Infantino, who also owns a photography business, was arrested at his home Wednesday after the unidentified woman and her daughters, ages 9 and 14, filed a complaint.
Police said the trio went to Infantino's home on July 22 for a portrait-style "free photo shoot" when the 14-year-old girl noticed a camera hidden in a cardboard box in a changing room.
Police said Infantino had secretly videotaped the woman and her daughters while they were changing outfits at .Infantino's request, including bathing suits.
Lt. Stanley Grodski said that Infantino "made various props" to disguise the camera. He added that Infantino took photos in a downstairs studio and an upstairs room. The videotapes show footage of other people, Grodski said. "We feel that there are other victims out there."
Infantino's Web site lists past performances at several schools in Nassau and Suffolk, and organizations including Newsday. It was unclear Thursday whether Infantino had ever actually performed at a Newsday event because the newspaper's event archives are limited.
Infantino also claimed to be affiliated with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
"He is one of many independent subcontractors who performed on a limited basis for Eastern Suffolk BOCES' Arts in Education Program," said Jeanine Uttaro, a spokeswoman for the program. "He has been suspended from our list of service providers."
Susan Smith, a spokeswoman for Western Suffolk BOCES, said that Infantino has never performed at any of its programs. Officials with Nassau BOCES did not respond to questions Thursday.
"It's the most disgusting thing in the world," said April Scalisi, a mother of two students at a Northport elementary school where Infantino has performed.
"I prefer that schools don't have anyone come in except who's supposed to come in," she said. "If I want them to go to a magic show, I'll take them myself."