Crisfield man arrested following investigation into sex crimes in Md., Pa.

SOMERSET CO., Md. – The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Crisfield man on Thursday following a 9-month investigation into sex crimes.

On July 14, 2021, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation when the victim reported that she had been sexually abused by 63-year-old Joseph Ciociola, repeatedly over the course of several years. The victim reported that the assaults began as early as 1998 when she was only six years old, and the assaults progressed in frequency and severity to the point of rape, with certain criminal acts such as assault and sex offenses continuing until days before it was reported.

The victim and suspect both reportedly lived in the same household at 420 Morris Road in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Radnor Township, where police say most of the activity took place. On April 1, 2021, the victim was moved to Crisfield and lived with Cicociola, who reportedly kept her in a very controlled, fearful, and abusive environment. The victim stayed in Crisfield until police and family intervention regarding this complaint caused the victim to move back to Pennsylvania.

The victim was directed to the Radnor Township Police Department, where investigators began looking into the reported sex crimes that took place within their jurisdiction. A joint criminal investigation between the two departments continued.

At around 7 a.m. Thursday, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and investigators with the Radnor Township Police Department responded to 321 Broadway Avenue in Crisfield with a Pennsylvania arrest warrant that formally charged Ciociola with over 120 counts of crimes including assault, sex assault, child abuse, and rape. He was arrested for the following crimes in Maryland: violation of a protective order, second degree assault, third and fourth degree sex offense, perverted practice, and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office also executed a search and seizure warrant at the Crisfield residence, where numerous computers and related electronic devices suspected of containing electronic evidence were seized.

Ciociola is being held at the Somerset County Detention Center without bond.