A man accused of brutally assaulting a woman in a Hazle Township early Tuesday confessed to the attack and said it had been fueled by the illegal party drug known as "Molly," state police said.

Emmanuel Paulino, 30, of West Hazleton, is also accused of assaulting a trooper.

The victim said she and Paulino agreed to have sex Tuesday morning but Paulino "freaked out" and grabbed her by the neck and choked her before ripping out a piece of her insides, according to arrest papers. The woman said the attack stopped when one of her children entered the bedroom after they heard her screams.

State troopers were dispatched to the Hazle Township apartment around 4:35 a.m. and found the victim in the fetal position, on the floor in her bedroom, with bruising around her eyes and blood flowing "profusely" from her torso, according to arrest papers. She was taken to Hazleton General Hospital and then flown to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township.

Dr. James Benkinney, an emergency room doctor at Geisinger, told police the victim suffered internal trauma, according to arrest papers. Her condition is unknown.

Troopers said they found Paulino inside the apartment, where he allegedly head-butted Trooper Michael Foux. Paulino, court papers state, told troopers the victim screamed, "Stop. You're hurting me." He also told police he took six doses of "Molly," the street name for the psychoactive drug MDMA.

Troopers charged Paulino with two counts each of aggravated assault and aggravated indecent assault, along with one count each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault, all felonies. He also faces misdemeanors for a count of simple assault and two counts of indecent assault and awaits a preliminary hearing.

While being walked into his preliminary arraignment at Magisterial District Judge James Dixon's Hazle Township office Tuesday night, Paulino told reporters he had "Jesus" on his side. Paulino told the judge he was a father of four children, was born in New York City and was previously charged with marijuana distribution in New Jersey.

When Dixon asked about the victim's medical condition, police could only say that she was in surgery at some point during the day. Trooper Chris Bonin said the hospital would not tell him what her condition was, even after he explained law enforcement needed to know if she would survive the assault.

Dixon set Paulino's bail at $250,000, stating he felt Paulino "may pose a danger to the community." Dixon also set several bail conditions, including not to engaging in intimidation or retaliation of any witnesses and to not have any contact with the victim.

"You are not to call, write on Facebook, email, tweet or any type of social media," Dixon said.

achristman@standardspeaker.com, 570-455-3636