FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Connection with Sexual Abuse of a Minor Investigation

Aaron T. Ford, special agent in charge of the Newark Division for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is seeking the public’s assistance in an effort to identify additional victims of an individual arrested and charged with the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.

On August 21, 2013, a complaint and arrest warrant were issued by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in the state of New Jersey charging an individual—believed to be Joseph Crillo, but not yet positively identified—in a John Doe warrant with aggravated sexual assault of a minor younger than 13-years-old.

On August 30, 2013, Joseph Anthony Caracciolo, also known as Joseph Crillo, Joseph Grillo, and Tony Gallardo, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of New Jersey in a federal complaint with traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person, namely, a sexual act with a person younger than 18 years of age.

According to the federal complaint, from approximately May 2012 to August 2012, Caracciolo traveled between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to sexually abuse a minor female. The girl was under the age of 13 at the time of the abuse. Caracciolo traveled from New York to Atlantic County, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pennsylvania, to sexually abuse her.

Caracciolo is a registered sex offender listed in the national Sex Offender Public Website. Since August of 2005, he has been in violation of the sex offender registration requirements.

In the early to mid 1990s, Caracciolo travelled extensively and may have resided in Florida, namely, the Orlando, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach areas, as well as in California. From 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have travelled extensively and resided in California, particularly the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. He is also believed to have travelled extensively to and may have resided in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.

Caracciolo has allegedly represented himself to be a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesperson, and an electrician’s assistant. In addition, he has allegedly claimed to be suffering from cancer.

Caracciolo is known to have frequented Atlantic City casinos, allegedly using aliases and conducting gambling transactions in the names of others he meets there.

Caracciolo has several tattoos, to include:

• A tattoo of ivy on his left finger
• A chef in a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef and an underlying quote on the forearm
• A cancer ribbon with boxing gloves on forearm.
• The initials “AJ” on the inner left wrist
• The letter “M” on inner right wrist
• The initials “NY” on the left upper arm
• An “X” between the webbing of the thumb and index finger

Individuals with information concerning Joseph Anthony Carraciolo are asked to contact the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information can also be provided to the nearest FBI field office or filed electronically at https://tips.fbi.gov.