Latest news with #BridgeportSuperiorCourt
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
CT man accused of holding woman at knifepoint, sexually assaulting her in Easton
Police have arrested a man accused of holding a woman against her will at knifepoint and allegedly sexually assaulting her before dropping her off on a dead-end road in Easton — an incident similar to one reported last week that investigators believe is connected to the same suspect. Joseph Kolenda, 64, of Fairfield was arrested Monday around 6:15 p.m. after being located by members of the Fairfield Police Department, according to the Easton Police Department. Easton police held a warrant for his arrest on charges of third-degree sexual assault and second-degree robbery. According to police, the charges stem from an incident on Nov. 14, 2024, when a local resident called authorities just after 10:30 a.m. and said a woman who could not speak English was knocking on their door and asking for help. Police said the woman claimed that she was held against her will at knifepoint and sexually assaulted. She also alleged that her phone was stolen and that she was dropped off at the end of Riverside Drive. According to police, the woman alleged that she had been picked up in Bridgeport by a male who said he had work for her cleaning houses. The woman was allegedly able to fight off the attacker and was able to escape, police said. Following his arrest, Kolenda was held on a $100,000 bond and was expected to be arraigned on Tuesday in Bridgeport Superior Court. Police said they are also investigating a similar incident reported on March 25 that they believe is linked to Kolenda. Around 10 a.m., police received a 911 call from a woman who claimed that she had been held against her will, assaulted and dropped at the intersection of Morehouse Road and Reilly Road. The alleged victim, through a translator, told authorities she was picked up in Bridgeport under the guise that she would be cleaning a house, according to police. The driver, a male, drove her around for some time and then allegedly attempted to sexually assault her, police said. The woman said she was able to take a picture of the license plate on the vehicle before she escaped. She was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated for minor injuries. Police said they were assisted by Fairfield investigators and were able to link Kolenda to the incident. Investigators said they are still 'processing evidence' to make an arrest in the second incident and are also working with other police departments to see if similar incidents in the area could also be tied to Kolenda. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Easton Police Department at 203-268-4111 or Klyman@
Washington Post
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Democratic operatives accused of ballot tampering make first court appearances in Connecticut
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Five Democratic operatives in Connecticut's largest city made their first court appearances Thursday since being charged with tampering with absentee ballots in 2023, allegations that led to a court-ordered rerun of a mayoral primary and general election and fueled skepticism about U.S. election security. Three Bridgeport City Council members and the second in command of the city's Democratic Party organization were among the defendants who briefly appeared before a Bridgeport Superior Court judge, who set their next court dates for March 21. No one entered any pleas.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Democratic operatives accused of ballot tampering make first court appearances in Connecticut
Five Democratic operatives in Connecticut 's largest city made their first court appearances Thursday since being charged with tampering with absentee ballots in 2023, allegations that led to a court-ordered rerun of a mayoral primary and general election and fueled skepticism about U.S. election security. Three Bridgeport City Council members and the second in command of the city's Democratic Party organization were among the defendants who briefly appeared before a Bridgeport Superior Court judge, who set their next court dates for March 21. No one entered any pleas. In the runup to the 2023 primary, surveillance videos showed people on several occasions stuffing what appeared to be multiple absentee ballots into city collection boxes, police said. The defendants have also been accused of illegally helping voters fill out ballots and telling them who to vote for, according to arrest warrants. News of the surveillance videos helped fuel skepticism about the security of U.S. elections and was used to bolster false narratives about the 2020 presidential election being stolen, Among those arrested on Feb. 21 by state police were Wanda Geter-Pataky, vice chairperson of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee; City Council members Alfredo Castillo, Maria Pereira and Jazmarie Melendez; and Stratford resident Margaret Joyce, who told authorities she worked on Mayor Joe Ganim's campaign, according to arrest warrants. Castillo, Pereira and Melendez deny the allegations. Geter-Pataky and her lawyer declined to comment on the charges. Joyce declined to comment Thursday. Ganim has denied any knowledge of ballot tampering. Geter-Pataky and Castillo were supporters of Ganim, while Pereira and Melendez were for John Gomes, who challenged Ganim in the 2023 Democratic primary. Geter-Pataky and Castillo were previously charged with similar absentee ballot crimes connected to the 2019 election won by Ganim. State police allege Geter-Pataky is seen on the surveillance videos stuffing ballots into collection boxes. Ganim narrowly won the 2023 primary over Gomes and went on to win the general election. But both results were thrown out by a state judge because of evidence of alleged ballot tampering. Ganim won both do-over elections. Ganim was first elected mayor in 1991 and served 12 years before quitting when he was caught accepting bribes and kickbacks. Convicted of racketeering, extortion and other crimes, he spent seven years in prison but then won his old job back in 2015.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
CT man accused of displaying firearm during road rage incident on Merritt Parkway
A man was arrested Thursday for allegedly displaying a firearm during a road rage incident on the Merritt Parkway in Stratford. The incident was reported at 3:44 p.m. on the southbound side of the parkway in the area of Exit 52, according to Connecticut State Police. The alleged victim who called 911 told troopers the road rage incident began after he and the other driver were stuck in traffic for about 30 minutes. He claimed that the other driver cut him off several times before the firearm was shown. State police said the alleged victim was able to provide the license plate information for the vehicle, which was identified as a white Kia registered to 34-year-old Steven Moore of Bridgeport. Troopers went to Moore's home and spoke to him about the incident. According to state police, he admitted to being involved in a road rage incident. State police said they reportedly found a loaded Glock handgun inside Moore's vehicle. The gun and ammunition were seized. Moore was arrested on charges of first-degree threatening with a firearm and second-degree breach of peace. He posted $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on March 6.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
CT sex offender arrested as police investigate reports of individual looking into apartment windows
A convicted sex offender was arrested last week in Bridgeport in a neighborhood where authorities were investigating reports that someone was banging on windows and looking into apartments. Police officers last Tuesday responded to the 600 block of Palisades Avenue on reports of suspicious activity and encountered 61-year-old Kevin Tucker of Bridgeport, according to Tiadora Josef, director of public information and emergency management for the City of Bridgeport. Josef noted that police had received recent complaints in the neighborhood about 'peeping Toms' and attempted burglaries. Tucker was arrested at the scene and charged with failure to register as a sex offender and interfering with police. He was initially held on a $10,000 bond and was arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court, where his bail was reduced to $7,500, according to online court records. He is free from custody and is due back in court on March 4. According to the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry, Tucker was convicted of first-degree aggravated sexual assault in November 1991. He was released from custody in September 2008, the registry shows. 'The Bridgeport Police Department commends the responding officers for their thorough investigative work and commitment to community safety,' police said in a statement. 'The department continues to address concerns in the area and remains dedicated to protecting its residents.'
