Tolland Man Facing Felony Sexual Assault Charge

An 18-year-old Tolland man has been charged with sexually assaulting a female under the age of 16, state police said.

Andre D. Linton of 90 Baxter St. was arrested Wednesday and has been arraigned in Superior Court in Vernon on felony charges of illegal sexual contact and second-degree sexual assault.

In Connecticut, a person may be charged with illegal sexual contact when he or she has had contact with “the intimate parts” of someone less than 16 years of age. A person may be charged with second-degree sexual assault when the victim is between 13 and 15 years of age and the accused is either 18 or at least three years older than the victim.

State police charged Linton following an investigation into an incident that happened on Jan. 11, court records show. No bail was set for Linton’s release following his court appearance on Wednesday. Further details were not immediately available.

Linton is scheduled to enter a plea on May 4, the same day a separate criminal case and earlier motor vehicle charge were scheduled for disposition. State police from the Tolland barracks had arrested Linton on Oct. 28 on charges of breach of peace, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief in connection with an incident that happened that day. On Sept. 29, state police had charged Linton with reckless driving.

Linton has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in September and October, court records show.

Illegal sexual contact is classified as a class B felony in Connecticut punishable upon conviction of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.