Ex-Middlesex cop indicted after allegedly recording sexual assaults of unconscious women

EATONTOWN - A borough man and former Middlesex County Sheriff's officer who allegedly recorded himself sexually assaulting unconscious women and a 17-year-old girl was indicted Friday on 20 counts, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.

Joshua Padilla, 36, is charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual assault, seven counts of invasion of privacy, four counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said.

Padilla was arrested in February 2019 by officers from the Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Bureau as a result of an investigation in Pennsylvania involving multiple crimes against children, officials said.

Investigators found that he was in possession of several videos of himself sexually abusing women who were unconscious as well as child sexual abuse materials, authorities said.

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"These were truly unspeakable crimes against utterly helpless victims," Linskey said. "We are encouraged by the progress made so far in shepherding this case through the criminal justice system, but troubled by the prospects of other victims being out there who have yet to come forward — and who may not even have known they were victimized. We urge anyone with any information about the activities of this defendant to step forward and tell us what they know."

The assaults took place at his home on Berkeley Place as well as in Middlesex County, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

The indictment charges him with abusing three women between 2016 and 2018, officials said.

The investigation also led to several criminal charges against Padilla in Pennsylvania. He was indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in July 2019 for allegedly recording himself engaging in sexual contact with a 17-year-old Pennsylvania girl and posting the video online, authorities said.

He also pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact with a minor in Pennsylvania in March 2021, admitting to attempting to meet with an uncover agent he believed was a 14-year-old girl and sending explicit photos of himself to the agent, according to officials.

Padilla is incarcerated at a federal prison in Pennsylvania.

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Detectives continue to seek information on any possible additional victims. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office is asking the public to contact Detective Brian Hammarstrom with any tips at 732-431-7160, ext. 6413.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400, texting 'MONMOUTH' along with the tip to 274637 or visiting monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Nicolas Fernandes is the early morning breaking news reporter. A lifelong New Jersey resident, he has previously worked as a features writer and sports reporter. Contact him at 732-540-4401 or nfernandes@gannettnj.com

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