MAN CHARGED IN SEX CASE (Cops say he befriended, abused Centereach children)

Kurt Rasmussen, a 48-year-old auto body repairman, was arrested on charges of first-degree sodomy, third degree sexual abuse, three counts of unlawful dealing with a child and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.  He would repair bicycles for neighborhood children and let them sit on his motorcycle.  But in the past year he had developed relationships with several children that no one knew about.  He would by them alcohol and cigarettes and then eventually lured them into his home to watch pornographic videos.  The charges stem from an incident last Sunday which he allegedly invited three children into his home and forced a 14 year old boy to perform a sex act on him, had contact with a 12 year old girl and unlawfully dealt with a 14 year old girl.  The unlawful dealing with a child is a charged used to describe buying alcohol or cigarettes for a minor or showing one pornographic material.  Rasmussen has three prior convictions for two DWI's and misdemeanor harassment.  He is being held at the Sixth Precinct pending arraignment.  Police ask anyone with information on similar incidents involving Rasmussen to call Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.

(Centereach, New York)