Damian Padilla
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge Isa Abbassi announce that at approximately 3:48 a.m. Paterson Police Officers were flagged down by a 35-year-old male with non-fatal stab wounds who indicated he was assaulted with a knife in the area of 7-11 Fair Street in the City of Paterson. Police Officers were notified of a second victim near the area, a 41-year-old female, who was also assaulted and had laceration to her left leg. Both victims were transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.
A description of the suspect was provided and shortly thereafter a 42-year-old male was located in the vicinity by Deputies from the Passaic County Sherriff’s Department. Based on the investigation, Damian Padilla was identified as the assailant who stabbed the male victim. Upon further investigation it was determined that prior to and during the incident, Damian Padilla made several anti-gay slurs against the male victim, while proceeding to stab him multiple times.
Mr. Padilla is charged with Bias Intimidation, First Degree; Aggravated Assault, Second Degree; Possession Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Third Degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Fourth Degree.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Padilla on First Degree Bias Intimidation is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison; on Aggravated Assault it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison; on Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; and on Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, it is up to18 months New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Padilla will appear at Central Judicial Processing (CJP) Court tomorrow at 1:30. The State will file a motion for pretrial detention that will be scheduled before a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370- PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.