Press Releases
11/07/2022
Former Coventry Man Sentenced for 2020 Sexual Assault
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Vernon, CT) – Matthew C. Gedansky, Tolland State’s Attorney, announced that Joseph Lodge, 39, previously of Coventry, was sentenced today to a total effective sentence of 10 years execution suspended after five and a half years served, to be followed by five years of probation, for a 2020 sexual assault in Coventry.
Today’s sentencing by the Hon. Kathleen E. McNamara followed Lodge’s conviction on August 5, 2022 in Rockville Superior Court on charges of Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-73a, Unlawful Restraint in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-95, Strangulation in the Third Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-64cc, Assault in the Third Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-61, and Stealing a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-212.
Lodge was arrested on September 12, 2020 after officers with the Coventry Police Department received a 911 text alert that an incident had occurred in their town. Court records show that officers responded immediately to the location, and identified the victim present, along with Lodge. The victim indicated that Lodge had assaulted her throughout the night, and that when she tried to escape, he grabbed her and carried her back into the home, striking her head when he dropped her on pavement. He then proceeded to continue to assault her into the next morning, strangled her, and sexually assaulted her. At the time, the victim indicated that Lodge had a firearm at the home. Officers later recovered a fully loaded Ruger pistol, which was identified as a stolen firearm from Manchester.
“The deleterious effects of these devastating assaults on both victims and their children can lead to lifelong consequences,” said Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Jaclyn Preville, who prosecuted the case. “All victims deserve to be protected from their abusers and this case highlights the need for continued vigilance against sexual assaults. I would like to extend appreciation to the victim for her patience in this prosecution, as well as the Coventry Police Department for their investigation in this case.”