Man admits molesting boy, 5, in Vernon

Feb. 15—A Vernon man pleaded guilty last week to molesting a 5-year-old boy whose older brother walked in on them during a sex act and gave a description that was later corroborated by DNA evidence.

Angel Almodovar, 28, who lived on Prospect Street, pleaded guilty in Vernon Superior Court to first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.

MOLESTATION PLEAS

DEFENDANT: Angel Almodovar, 28, who formerly lived on Prospect Street in Vernon

PLEAS: First-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child

SENtENCING DATE: April 21 in Vernon Superior Court

LIKELY SENTENCE: 30 years, suspended after 10 years in prison, followed by 10 or 15 years' probation

His plea agreement calls for him to receive a 10-year prison sentence, followed by a period of probation, although there were inconsistent statements during last week's hearing as to whether the probation will run for 10 years or 15 years, according to an audio recording.

In any case, Almodovar will face up to 20 more years behind bars if he violates release conditions, which will include sex offender registration and treatment and having no contact with the victim or with most other children younger than 16.

The crimes occurred in Vernon on Aug. 19, 2019, online court records show.

The 5-year-old's mother told police that his older brother went upstairs and witnessed the sex act in progress, prosecutor Alison Marie Kubas said during the hearing, which was held via teleconference.

The prosecutor said Almodovar left the house immediately afterward, but police officers found him and questioned him about what happened.

Kubas said Almodovar made inconsistent statements but indicated that any physical contact between him and the 5-year-old had been inadvertent.

But the prosecutor also described DNA evidence corroborating the older brother's claim that a sex act had taken place.

Almodovar admitted he was guilty of the charges he was facing rather than using a legal mechanism that would have enabled him to avoid admitting guilt.

The risk of injury conviction was based on the older boy's witnessing the sex act, the prosecutor said.

Almodovar is being held in lieu of $300,000 bond at the Cheshire Correctional Institution while awaiting sentencing, scheduled for April 21.

For updates on Glastonbury, and recent crime and courts coverage in North-Central Connecticut, follow Alex Wood on Twitter: @AlexWoodJI1, Facebook: Alex Wood, and Instagram: @AlexWoodJI.

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