A Staten Island man was indicted on nine counts Friday, after a grand jury decided he assaulted young women to satisfy a sexual fetish.

The Staten Island district attorney says 25-year-old former police recruit Frank Ranieri of Arden Heights is facing a number of charges, including assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Law enforcement sources say Ranieri paid three teenage girls so he could poke them with sharp objects.

Prosecutors say the incidents started in July of 2003 and continued up until this past April.

Ranieri's lawyer has argued the charges are part of ongoing attempt by the teens to extort money from his client.

He is set to be arraigned next Wednesday.