(Torrington, CT) - Litchfield Judicial District State’s Attorney David R. Shannon today announced that the Honorable Brian W. Preleski on October 11, 2024, sentenced Sara Anne Simonelli, also known as Sara Byxbee, age 41, of New Milford, to 50 years in prison, execution suspended after 20 years served, followed by 20 years of probation. Simonelli also was ordered to register with the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.
On June 7, 2024, Simonelli pleaded guilty in Torrington Superior Court to four counts of Employing a Minor in an Obscene Performance, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-196a, two counts of Promoting a Minor in an Obscene Performance, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-196b, one count of Sexual Assault in the First Degree with a Victim Under 13 Years of Age, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(2), and one count of Risk of Injury to a Minor/Illegal Sexual Contact, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21(a)(2)**.
Previously, Simonelli’s co-defendant, Michael J. Almeida, age 29, of New Milford, was sentenced by Judge Preleski on May 9, 2024 to 30 years in prison, execution suspended after 18 years served, followed by 20 years of probation. Almeida also was ordered to register with the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.
On January 30, 2024, Almeida pleaded guilty in Torrington Superior Court to two counts of Possession of Child Pornography in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-196d(a)(1), two counts Accessory To Employing a Minor in an Obscene Performance, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-8 and § 53a-196a, and one count of Accessory To Commit Risk Of Injury To Child, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21(a)(1).
According to evidence, an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Project CyberTip led to a search warrant and the subsequent seizure of multiple devices belonging to Almeida. Over 400 unique files identified as child pornography were found on Almeida’s devices. Additionally, on Almeida’s cell phone, police identified videos and photographs of Simonelli with the minor victim. Multiple videos showed Simonelli sexually assaulting the minor victim in various ways. Text messages between Simonelli and Almeida commented on these videos and expressed an interest to further sexually assault the minor victim. At the time, Simonelli and Almeida were in a dating relationship.
The cases were investigated by the New Milford Police Department, and were prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Karen A. Roberg, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Melissa Brewer and Inspector Forrest J. Beaulieu.
State’s Attorney Shannon would like to thank the New Milford Police Department, particularly Detective Nicholas Smith, and the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services Forensic Science Laboratory for their extensive work in this investigation.