Guthrie Man Arrested, Accused Of Sexually Abusing 2 Teens

A Guthrie man is in custody after two teens accused him of molestation, and investigators think there could be more victims.

Wednesday, May 12th 2021, 5:28 pm



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A Guthrie man is in custody after two teens accused him of molestation, and investigators think there could be more victims.

The abuse reportedly happened Friday at the Guthrie Edmond Regional Airport in an airplane hangar. One of the victims knew the suspect through his father, so police said he felt safe being alone with the him.

Michael Malatesta was arrested on Monday on six felony complaints of sexual abuse to a minor under 16.

"It appears that this was somewhat of a friend of the family," said Guthrie police Sgt. Anthony Gibbs.

Malatesta bought a plane from and worked for one of the victim's fathers. 

Court records show two teen boys went with the suspect to the Guthrie Edmond Regional Airport to help him work on a mo-ped he stored in an airplane hangar. 

Documents said Malatesta kept randomly grabbing them inappropriately. One victim said he even trying to slide his hand down the boys' pants.

Scared, one of the teens made an excuse and went home. That's when things escalated for the boy who stayed behind. 

Documents said the suspect asked the remaining teen to pull down his pants so Malatesta could touch himself. The teen said Malatesta pulled his own pants down and began watching porn on his phone, motioning at the teen to come join him. After everything happened, Malatesta asked the boy to not tell anyone.

"Investigators believe that there may be other victims that have been involved with Mr. Malatesta," Gibbs said.

Gibbs is asking any victims to come forward to the Guthrie Police Department. He also said parents need to pay close attention to how your kids are acting, and look for signs they have been abused, too.

"We've seen major changes in grades, we see changes in behavior, mood and I realize that's almost every teenager," Gibbs said. "If you notice these things that aren't the same. Quick, abrupt changes that continue to last, then yes, talk with your kiddos, find out exactly what's going on."

This isn't the first time Malatesta is accused of this kind of behavior. In 2017, he was charged with exposing himself and making lewd or indecent proposals to another boy under 16. 

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