Burbank deejay accused of rape

Ryan Carter

CIVIC CENTER -- Arraignment for a well-known morning deejay accused of

raping a 14-year-old fan was postponed Friday in Burbank Superior Court.

Commissioner Kirkland Nyby held Burbank resident and popular Spanish

language broadcaster Firmo Rossetti’s hearing over until Monday to allow

him to obtain a private attorney.

Rossetti, 38, of Burbank, who also uses the moniker Hector Rocksetti,

was arrested Wednesday at the Burbank Police Department on 10 felony

counts, including child molestation, oral copulation and rape, Burbank

Police Sgt. Bill Taylor said.

Police are concerned there could be more victims, Burbank Police Det.

Brian Llewellyn said.

Rossetti, a morning deejay known for his zany persona on Century

City-based radio station VIVA 107.1 FM, allegedly sexually assaulted and

raped the 14-year-old Long Beach girl after telling her he would help her

reach her goal of becoming a radio announcer, Taylor said.

“She had called the station many, many times,” Taylor said, adding

that’s how the two met.

Ultimately, Rossetti told her she had a nice voice and offered his

help in her fledgling radio career, police said.

“She, being young and vulnerable, believed him,” Taylor said.

In late January, Burbank police received information about the pair’s

encounters from the Long Beach Police Department.

On Aug. 25, Rossetti allegedly picked the girl up from her home in

Long Beach, promising a recording session.

Rossetti allegedly sexually assaulted the girl twice -- once while

driving and again when they arrived at his apartment in the 1500 block of

N. Catalina Street.

Rossetti also reportedly told the girl he would help her father start

a business.

On Jan. 2 -- once again promising a recording session -- Rossetti

picked up the girl and took her to his Burbank apartment, where against

her protestations, he sexually assaulted and raped her, Taylor said.

Police said the girl did not report the incidents until late January

because she feared retaliation from Rossetti.

Rossetti, who appeared in court on Friday aided by an interpreter, was

being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail.

“It’s been tough,” VIVA programming director Fernando Perez said.

“We’re waiting for more information. But the company is taking this very

seriously.”

Anyone with information can call Det. Llewellyn at 238-3244 or the

watch commander at 238-3130.