Teen Charged with Sexual Assault at Wainscott Rehab Facility

A 16-year-old from Rockville Centre sexually assaulted another teen at Phoenix House Academy in Wainscott, East Hampton Town police said Monday morning.

Police responded to the drug rehabilitation and treatment center for adolescent males on Industrial Road — not far from police headquarters — after a report of a victim of violence at about 5:10 p.m. They found an 18-year-old male victim had been assaulted. East Hampton Village Ambulance Association transported him to Southampton Hospital, where he underwent surgery and has been admitted.

"The investigation indicates that a wooden broom handle was used by the defendant to penetrate the rectum of the victim," police said in a statement.

Joseph M. Cardinali was charged with aggravated sexual abuse in the first-degree, a felony, and third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, on Sunday. He was arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice Court Monday morning.

“At this time, we can confirm that a serious incident took place at our facility yesterday," Karen Sodomick, the vice president of marketing and communications at the Phoenix House Foundation, said on Monday. "We reported it to the appropriate authorities and we will continue to cooperate fully in all investigations.  We are also conducting an internal investigation to ensure that we provide a safe environment for our clients.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation are being asked to contact detectives at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept confidential.