NJ Man Drugged, Sexually Assaulted Woman He Met On Dating App: Police

STRATFORD, NJ - A South Jersey man was charged with aggravated sexual assault and narcotics offenses following a tip to the Stratford Police Department that he drugged and sexually assaulted a woman at his Stratford residence last summer, authorities said.

Joshua Clark, 40, was charged with aggravated sexual assault, tampering with a food product, possession of methamphetamine, intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of Anesket (ketamine), and intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Stratford Police Chief Ronald M. Morello said in a joint statement Tuesday.

Clark is being lodged at the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

An investigation led by Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Stratford Police Department found that the victim met Clark on a social media dating app, MacAulay and Morello said, with the victim reporting that, during a date at Clark’s residence, she lost consciousness after consuming a drink that Clark prepared.

After regaining consciousness, the victim found that she was being sexually assaulted by Clark, MacAulay and Morello added.

The investigation led to a search warrant executed at Clark’s Warwick Road residence earlier this month, with detectives finding one-half ounce of methamphetamine, one Anesket (Ketamine) bottle containing a clear liquid and assorted drug paraphernalia in the Stratford home, authorities said.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is urged to contact Detective Jenna Gamble of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 856-580-5872 or Detective Andrew Rebecca of the Stratford Police Department at 856-783-8616. Tips can also be sent anonymously to CAMDEN.TIPS.