HAZLE TOWNSHIP -- State police have charged a West Hazleton man in connection with an especially horrific assault.
Troopers say Emmanuel Paulino brutally raped a woman who then had to be flown to a hospital.
Paulino, 29, was led into his arraignment in Hazle Township where he was charged with numerous offenses in connection with a brutal sexual assault.
State police say Paulino attacked a woman inside her apartment around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The victim told police Paulino suddenly “freaked out and grabbed her by the neck and started choking her.”
He then began to violently assault her sexually.
The victim told police she was “screaming throughout the assault and that the attack stopped when one of her children entered the bedroom when they heard screaming.”
Investigators say Paulino lives in an apartment in West Hazleton.
His next door neighbor says he doesn't know Paulino, only has seen him in passing.
“I just moved in to this house two days ago so, I don't even know. I know there's people that live there, but I don't know them,” said Jose Jueerrero.
Police say the victim had to be flown to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and was taken into surgery due to her injuries.
Court papers show that Paulino admitted to taking six pills of the drug known as molly before the attack.
State police also say Paulino head-butted a trooper while being taken in for questioning and he faces a charge of aggravated assault for that.
According to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, the victim is now in fair condition.