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Phillip Distasio

Police: Suspected Rapist Lured Kids At Local Businesses

Man Charged With Raping 2 Boys He Taught In Home

POSTED: 6:00 pm EDT September 29, 2005

Investigators are finding out more about a Rocky River man accused of raping two children and how he allegedly lured his victims.

Phillip Distasio was arrested in August, and on Wednesday he was charged with raping two boys with autism whom he was teaching at his home.

Investigators said Distasio met many of his alleged victims along Detroit Road in Lakewood, where he frequented places like the Lakewood Public Library, reported 5 On Your Side's Joe Pagonakis.

Police said Distasio, calling himself Brother Petty, used the Phoenix Coffee House as a venue to promote his so-called ministry to 10-, 11-, and 12-year-old boys.

According to police, Distasio also used his Web site to lure the boys into a life of drugs and pornography.

Phoenix management finally banned Distasio just weeks before he was arrested. Phoenix's Adam Brown said Distasio came back at one point, and the business had to get a restraining order.

Investigators said Distasio would conduct meetings with his alleged victims at his Rocky River apartment.

The group Distasio called Class Cutters would also gather at Cyber City on Detroit Road, where police said young boys unknowingly became Distasio's targets.

Police said there may be more victims, which could lead to additional charges.

Distasio's roommate, Chris Nolan, was also under investigation in the case. Police said the two made a suicide pact, that if they were caught they would take their own lives.

Nolan killed himself two weeks ago by hanging himself from a tree.





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