SYRACUSE - Two central New York men charged last week with setting a cat on fire now face unrelated rape charges.

Dustin Gauger, 20, and Kyle Custer, 16, were accused of having sex with two 14-year-old girls in separate incidents, police said.

The two girls came forward last week after their parents saw that Custer and Gauger had been charged in the cat torture case, said state police Investigator David Longo.

Gauger was charged with second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child.

Custer pleaded not guilty to second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child.

Custer and Gauger were already facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty and petty larceny charges after police said they doused a cat in gasoline and set it on fire.

Longo said he didn't think force was involved, but the girls' ages led to the rape charges.