Press Releases
05/02/2024
West Haven Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for 2019 Burglary and Sexual Assault
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Milford, CT) – Margaret E. Kelley, Ansonia/Milford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Kevin S. Russo today sentenced Miguel Cuapio-Mendieta, age 26, of West Haven, to 10 years in prison for a 2019 burglary and sexual assault.
Cuapio-Mendieta was arrested on December 29, 2019 following an investigation by the West Haven Police Department. On that day, a female complainant who worked with the defendant told police the defendant entered her apartment with force, dressed in black clothing, with a black ski mask and backpack. He struggled with her in the home and produced a black handgun from his bag. He threatened to kill her and her entire family if she did not do what he said. She was handcuffed, forced to kneel and forced to perform oral sex while the gun was held to her head. He then threw her on the bed, and started removing her clothing. Blacked-out goggles were placed over her eyes. At some point, she was able to free herself from the handcuffs and remove the goggles, at which time she saw the assailant’s face and recognized him as an acquaintance from work. She screamed she was going to call the police and he fled the apartment.
After the assault, the victim received a number of text messages from the defendant admitting the assault and claiming he was coerced into this action by an unknown individual who was threatening the lives of his family members. The defendant was located in New Haven and ultimately led police to where he had stashed the backpack used in the incident, which contained the blacked-out goggles, ski mask and what was at that time determined to be a BB gun.
On February 21, 2024 the defendant entered guilty pleas to substituted charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70a(a)(1) and Burglary in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-101(a)(1).
At today’s hearing in Milford Superior Court, Judge Russo sentenced the defendant after hearing arguments and statements from the victim and her family. The total effective sentence imposed was 20 years execution suspended after 10 years served in prison with 10 years of probation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Alanna Paul and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tatiana Messina, with the assistance of former Inspector Patrick Dooling (retired). The following agencies greatly assisted: the Rape Crisis Center of Milford, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Office of Victim Services and interpreter services.