(Vernon, CT) - Craig P. Nowak, State’s Attorney for the Tolland Judicial District, announced that Justin Perez, age 28, of Springfield, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today to one count of Risk of Injury to a Minor, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21(a)(2) and one count of Enticing a Minor, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a‑90a.
Investigation by the Connecticut State Police revealed that in December of 2023, the defendant, then an Officer with the Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department, volunteered as an assistant wrestling coach for the Somers High School wrestling team. Through his position as assistant coach, he utilized team messaging apps to obtain the 15-year-old victim’s personal cell phone number and began messaging the victim privately. The texts began as friendly banter but escalated into increasingly sexual comments and offers to “link up” outside of school.
The messages continued until the defendant began sending the victim photographs of himself in uniform, photographs of his private parts, and videos of himself masturbating in the shower. During this time, the defendant also singled out the victim for individual sparring during which he would grope the victim and rub his private area on the victim while making lewd comments. On at least one occasion, the defendant isolated the victim in a back stairwell and requested oral sex, which the victim declined.
The victim abruptly quit the wrestling team, prompting questioning by the team head coach as to the victim’s sudden change of heart regarding their sport. It was in this meeting that the victim was encouraged by another teammate to disclose what had happened throughout the previous wrestling season. The coach immediately notified Connecticut State Police, at which time a full investigation began. A forensic download of the defendant’s cell phone revealed text, photograph, and video evidence consistent with the victim’s report.
The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Trudeau. Inspector John DiVenere assisted in the prosecution, along with Troop C of the Connecticut State Police, and Tracy Miller-Freeman of the Office of Victim Services.
Sentencing is scheduled for January in Superior Court in Rockville.