FBI seeks possible California victims of suspected sex offender

Federal authorities Tuesday said they are looking for other possible victims in California who may have been sexually assaulted by a 47-year-old sex offender recently charged with assaulting a minor.

Joseph Anthony Caracciolo was taken into custody in New York on Aug. 28 and was charged with allegedly crossing state lines to repeatedly sexually assault a 12-year-old girl, according to the federal criminal complaint. Caracciolo also impregnated the girl, the complaint claimed.

Federal authorities in New Jersey are now looking for additional victims who may have been allegedly assaulted by Caracciolo in other states where he may have lived or traveled.

Since the early to mid-1990s, Caracciolo traveled extensively and may have lived in the Orlando, Boca Raton and Palm Beach areas in Florida. Between 2003 to 2005, he is believed to have traveled and lived in the Sacramento and San Bernardino areas. Authorities believe he also traveled or may have lived in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Virginia.

Federal authorities said Caracciolo has several tattoos, including one of ivy on his left finger, and a chef in a chef’s hat with the words “Top Chef” and an underlying quote on the forearm. He has claimed to have been a chef, pediatric dentist, business owner, salesman and electrician assistant.

Caracciolo has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for bigamy, failure to register as a sex offender and larceny, according to the federal complaint. He is also a wanted fugitive in California due to his failure to register as a sex offender and violation of probation, the complaint said.

Following Caracciolo’s arrest in New York on charges filed by the Atlantic County prosecutors office, the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of New Jersey adopted the case for federal prosecution.

According to the federal complaint, the 12-year-old girl in New Jersey identified Caracciolo after she gave birth in April.

Caracciolo remains in custody at Atlantic County Jail on $300,000 bail.

ALSO:

L.A. City Council OKs efforts to curb hit-and-run incidents

Cop peeked at Whitney Houston’s naked body, claim alleges

Flip-flop ban at San Juan Capistrano parks baffles city officials

Twitter: @latvives

[email protected]