Police: Man Used Game Called "The Purge" To Sexually Assault Victims
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Disturbing allegations against a man accused of sexually assaulting more than a half dozen girls.
Police say 43-year old Michael Dematteo of New Castle set up situations so he could be close to his victims.
Dematteo was arraigned on a number of child sexual abuse charges today.
State Police say Dematteo sexually assaulted seven juvenile girls at his home between 2008 and 2015.
At the time the victims were between the ages of nine and 13-years old.
The victims told detectives the assaults happened during overnight sleepovers and that Dematteo made them watch pornographic movies, forced them to touch his private parts, and touched them inappropriately.
"These juvenile females would come to the house to visit and he really kind of made himself a part of their environment, spent time with them in the basement. On the outside it would appear as a caring or devoted parent spending time with the children," State Trooper Harry Gustafson said.
The victims told police that they had to stay with Dematteo when they came to his house. Sometimes they played a game called "The Purge" where all the lights were turned off, and whoever got caught had to let him fondle and lay on them.
Detectives say none of the victims were forced to have sexual intercourse with Dematteo, but over the years the victims came forward, not able to take it anymore.
"One juvenile was pushed too far, had enough, came forward and disclosed, and then once that first child was brave enough, the others feel comfortable talking about their experiences," Trooper Gustafson said.
According to a criminal complaint Dematteo is described as acting more like a teenager male than a caring parent. Detectives say another adult was also in the house but there was a certain level of trust in Dematteo.
"The mother in this case acted extremely appropriate, when it was disclosed to her, she took her daughter and moved out, got her out of the situation," Gustafson said.
The charges against Dematteo include felony indecent assault, indecent exposure, and corruption of minors. Dematteo is free on bond with a preliminary hearing scheduled for next week.
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