Joseph Anthony Caracciolo (Image source: WPIX-TV)
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Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski
MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — A registered sex offender who allegedly impregnated a 12-year-old southern New Jersey girl is now facing more charges — and the public is asked to take a good look at him, because he may have targeted other girls in the past.
Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, whose most recent address was in New York City, faces aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment charges in an indictment handed up this week by an Atlantic County grand jury. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
Joseph Anthony Caracciolo (Image source: WPIX-TV)
The indictment comes just weeks after federal prosecutors said Caracciolo, 47, would be charged with traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of illicit sex with a minor. That case is pending.
(Image source: WPIX)
Caracciolo was arrested Aug. 28 and allegedly traveled between New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania to sexually assault the victim, who is now 13. The FBI probe began in August after it learned the Egg Harbor Township Police Department was investigating the pregnancy of the girl, who gave birth in April.
The juvenile victim, identified in court documents only as “Victim 1,” allegedly said Caracciolo – alias Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, police add – repeatedly had sex with her from May through August, traveling from New York to the her father’s home in Egg Harbor Township, as well as taking her from New Jersey to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, noted the Metro.
Alleged text Caracciolo sent to his victim. (Image source: WPIX)
The criminal complaint states Victim 1 agreed to let law enforcement monitor her communications with Caracciolo starting in August, and through them authorities say he allegedly admitted to fathering the child, referring to the girl’s baby as “our child” and “my daughter.”
According to a report from WPIX-TV in New York, Caracciolo very well may have preyed on other girls, so if you recognize him call the FBI (800-CALL-FBI). Authorities said since the early-to-mid 1990s he's lived in Florida, California and New York, and traveled often to New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.
In addition, the Metro said, Caracciolo has allegedly posed as a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesman, electrician’s assistant, and even a cancer patient. His criminal history includes convictions for bigamy, larceny, and failure to register as a sex offender.
Caracciolo has several tattoos, including one that depicts a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef” and a cancer ribbon with boxing gloves – both on his forearms – as well as the initials “AJ” on his inner left wrist, the letter “M” on his inner right wrist, the initials “NY” on his left upper arm and an “X” between the webbing of his thumb and index finger, the Metro reported.
(Image source: The Metro)
(Image source: The Metro)
(Image source: The Metro)
Here's a report from WPIX-TV after Caracciolo was initially arrested:
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