'Horrific Acts': LI Man Indicted For Raping 2 Boys He Met On Snapchat: DA

BAY SHORE, NY — A Long Island man has been indicted on rape charges after after sexually abusing two young boys he met on Snapchat, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Bradley Schioppa, 18, of Bay Shore, was indicted for first-degree rape and other related charges after reportedly sexually abusing two 11-year-old boys that he met and befriended via Snapchat, the DA said.

"This defendant is accused of committing horrific acts against two innocent children," Tierney said. "These charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged conduct. Protecting our most vulnerable residents, especially children, remains my highest priority. We will pursue this case with the full force of the law to deliver the justice these children deserve."

According to the investigation, in April, several 11-year-old boys from the Smithtown area created a Snapchat group and Schioppa, who goes by the username "paxonhotsg5," was added to the chat. The boys assumed that Schioppa was around their age and did not question his participation in the chat, the DA said.

Schioppa then allegedly began to show up at locations where the boys would meet, including Robert A. Brady Park in Smithtown, and the boys realized that he was older, the DA said. Schioppa allegedly drove the boys around in his car, bought them snacks and soft drinks and played prank games with them, the DA said.

Schioppa allegedly sexually abused one 11-year-old boy in the bathroom of Brady Park and another 11-year-old boy in the bathroom of CVS in Smithtown, the DA said. According to the DA, Schioppa allegedly framed the abuse as a prank or a dare that they would both be paid for on both occasions.

In May, one of the victim’s mothers discovered messages between Schioppa and her son, the DA said. When she questioned him, he disclosed the sexual abuse, a police investigation was launched and Schioppa was arrested on May 21, the DA said.

On June 10, Schioppa was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for three counts of first-degree rape, a Class B violent felony; two counts of second-degree sexual abuse a Class D violent felony; and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, the DA said.

Wilutis ordered Schioppa held on $450,000 cash, $900,000 bond or $4.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said. He is due back in court on July 8 and faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count, the DA said.

He is being represented by Ira Weissman who was not immediately available for comment.

If you believe that your child messaged or communicated with Schioppa via his Snapchat account "paxonhotsg5," or otherwise, please contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 631-852-2555 or the Suffolk County Police Department Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531.