(Vernon, CT) - Craig P. Nowak, State’s Attorney for the Tolland Judicial District, announced today that a jury in Superior Court in Rockville on October 2, 2025 found Deric A. Clarke, age 43, of Waterbury, guilty of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(1). The Honorable Tejas Bhatt presided over the trial.
Evidence at trial showed that the defendant sexually assaulted the victim in the town of Coventry in 2020. DNA evidence, in conjunction with witness testimony, linked the defendant to the crime. The defendant was on probation at the time of the offense for crimes of public indecency and breach of peace. In addition to the jury’s guilty verdict, Judge Bhatt found that the defendant had violated his probation due to the testimony presented at his criminal trial.
Clarke is being held on bond while awaiting sentencing for his criminal conviction and violation of probation. Sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2025 at Superior Court in Rockville.
State’s Attorney Nowak prosecuted the case with the assistance of Inspector John DiVenere, Manchester Police Department, Coventry Police Department and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory.