(New Haven, CT) – New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. announced today that the Honorable Maureen M. Keegan on June 9, 2026 sentenced Demarres Taft, Sr., age 46, of New Haven, to 25 years in prison, suspended after 15 years served, and 20 years of probation, for sexually assaulting a minor.
A jury in New Haven Superior Court on April 14, 2026, found Taft guilty of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(2). According to evidence introduced at trial, Taft sexually assaulted the victim repeatedly starting at the age of six years old and continued doing so until she was 16.
This case was investigated by the New Haven Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Lill, with assistance from Inspector Kevin Grenier, and Office of Victim Services Advocate Christie Ciancola.
State’s Attorney Doyle would like to extend his gratitude to Detective Samantha Romano and the Special Victims Unit of the New Haven Police Department for their investigative efforts.