(Middletown, CT) – Michael A. Gailor, Middlesex Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced today that the Honorable Julia DiCocco Dewey on February 26, 2026, sentenced Michael Vardal, age 49, of Cromwell, to a total effective sentence of 35 years in prison, suspended after 25 years served, followed by 30 years of probation on charges stemming from his sexual abuse of three children over a period of years and his possession of child sexual abuse material.
Vardal had previously pleaded guilty to one count Sexual Assault in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(2), three counts of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §71(a)(4), three counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21(a)(2), and one count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-196d(a)(1).
The factual basis for his pleas established that he engaged in sexual intercourse with a six-year-old child and had sexual contact with that child on another occasion. The factual basis also established that he had sexual intercourse with another child on multiple occasions when the child was between the ages of 13 and 15 and had sexual contact a third child who was 11 years old at the time. The investigation further revealed that the defendant was in possession of a substantial amount of child sexual abuse material.
State’s Attorney Gailor praised the courage of the victims in reporting the abuse and expressed his hope that the imposition of the sentence will allow them to move forward with their lives. State’s Attorney Gailor extends his gratitude to the Cromwell, Middletown, and South Windsor Police Departments for their efforts in the investigation of the matter.
State’s Attorney Gailor also praised the work of Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Steven Lesko and Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper who prosecuted the case with the assistance of Inspector Joseph Flynn.