(Milford, CT) - Margaret E. Kelley, Ansonia/Milford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Peter A. McShane on March 10, 2026 sentenced Francisco Cabassa, age 43, of New Haven, to nine years in prison. The Court also issued Standing Criminal Protective Orders in favor of the complainant and two of the witnesses given the facts and circumstances of the case. The imposition of this sentence was stayed until May 13, 2026 because the defendant has related pending cases in the New Haven Judicial District.
A Superior Court jury in Derby on January 9, 2026 found Cabassa guilty of two counts of Violation of a Protective Order, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-223, three counts of Interfering with an Officer, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167a, Larceny in the Sixth Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-125b and Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-117(a)(1)(A).
Evidence at trial showed that the defendant, in violation of a protective order, entered the victim's Shelton home at night, tussled with her, and stole her phone. The defendant then engaged in a long struggle with police officers who responded to the scene. While at the police lockup, the defendant flooded out a portion of the police department after blocking his toilet in his cell.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Laura DeLeo prosecuted the case, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Chelsea Meehan, Inspector Robert Winkler, Investigator Robert Nash, Secretary 2 Ian Shackleton and Victim Advocate Ashley Higgins.