Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that a Mansfield Township man has been indicted on multiple charges related to drugging and molesting two men who rented rooms from him at his residence.

Craig Cardella, 60, entered a plea of not guilty yesterday at his arraignment in Superior Court in Mount Holly. A grand jury returned the indictments in December charging him with 17 counts of Kidnapping (First Degree), 18 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact (Third Degree), 18 counts of Invasion of Privacy (Third Degree), 18 counts of Endangering Another Person (Third Degree) and one count of Stalking (Fourth Degree).

The charges apply to two victims who were assaulted during separate time periods which each spanned several months. Their names and further details are being withheld to protect their identities. The case will now proceed to trial.

The investigation began in December 2024 after a man renting a room from Cardella contacted Mansfield Township police and said he had awakened during the night to discover Cardella in bed with him, holding a mask over his mouth and nose while touching him sexually.
During the execution of a search warrant at Cardella’s residence, a safe was discovered in the defendant’s closet that contained two bottles of liquid later determined to be chloroform, along with prescription sleep medication, medical masks, a camcorder and digital storage devices. It is believed Cardella used the chloroform to prevent his victims from waking up, thereby rendering them helpless.

The investigation was conducted by the Mansfield Township Police Department. The lead investigator was Detective Ken Allen. Cardella is being prosecuted by BCPO Assistant Prosecutor Keith Carmy.

Anyone who believes they were victimized by this defendant is asked to contact Detective Allen at allen@mansfieldpd.org.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

2026-04 Mansfield Man Pleads Not Guilty to Drugging and Molesting Tenants