[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since all charges were dismissed.]
Police on Tuesday arrested a New Canaan man by warrant and charged him with sexual assault.
The felony charge stems from an investigation that started in September, according to a police report.
On the afternoon of Sept. 12 (a Wednesday), police gathered information while responding to a medical call on Elm Street, the report said. It led authorities to investigate a possible domestic dispute at a New Canaan residence, the report said.
At the time, police charged a New Canaan man with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor offense. (That charge appears to have been dropped, as there is no record of it in the Connecticut Judicial Branch database.)
Following its investigation, police obtained a warrant to charge the man for sexual assault in a spousal or cohabiting relationship.
Under state law, “No spouse or cohabitor shall compel the other spouse or cohabitor to engage in sexual intercourse by the use of force against such other spouse or cohabitor, or by the threat of the use of force against such other spouse or cohabitor which reasonably causes such other spouse or cohabitor to fear physical injury.” By the state’s definition, “sexual intercourse” means “vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, fellatio or cunnilingus between persons regardless of sex. Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse or fellatio and does not require emission of semen. Penetration may be committed by an object manipulated by the actor into the genital or anal opening of the victim’s body.” Also under the state’s definition, “use of force” means “use of a dangerous instrument” or “use of actual physical force or violence or superior physical strength against the victim.”
Police withheld details in this case, classifying it as a domestic matter.
The man was released on $25,000 bond and scheduled to appear Wednesday in state Superior Court in Norwalk.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Stamford provides services, support and education for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence. Its 24-hour hotline is 203-588-9096. Espanol: 203-663-6641. National: 888-724-2900.