Collingswood Chef's Ex-Girlfriend Pleads Guilty in Child Sex Assault Case

Collingswood, NJ -- The former girlfriend of a famous Collingswood chef has admitted to her role in a conspiracy to produce sexually explicit images of two children, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said on Wednesday.

Janine Kelley, 35, of Audubon, pleaded guilty to an information charging her with one count of conspiring with her former boyfriend, 42-year-old Alexander Capasso, to engage in the sexual exploitation of two children by producing sexually explicit images of them.

Court proceedings are still pending for Capasso, who was indicted for allegedly possessing and distributing images of child sex abuse and also for conspiring to sexually exploit two minor children on July 6.

He was denied bail after the mother of one of the children, who was between 3 and 5 years old, told the court he was a “horrible, violent, soulless person," according to the Courier Post.

Kelley, a registered nurse, is the girl’s aunt, according to the report.

She entered into a sexual relationship with Capasso in or about 2011, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

Police allege Capasso, who formerly owned the Blackbird Dining Establishment, West Side Gravy and Benny's Burger Joint, expressed an interest in engaging in sexual conduct with children.

For a year, between November of 2011 and October of 2012, police allege Kelley and Capasso took turns recording Kelley engaging in sexually explicit conduct with two children, and photographing Capasso doing the same with one of the minors.

Capasso previously faced charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl when he was 23, but those charges were downgraded, according to the Courier Post report.

Kelley faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18.