Press Releases
09/13/2023
Meriden Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation Charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Haven, CT) - New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. announced today that Anthony Lazzari of Meriden, age 48, pleaded guilty on September 11, 2023 in New Haven Superior Court to a total of 16 sex offenses relating to three juvenile victims. A trial in one of the cases was scheduled to begin September 12, 2023.
Lazzari entered guilty pleas relative to all three victims’ cases. The charges range from Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Promoting Prostitution in the First Degree, Enticing a Minor, Possession of Child Pornography in the Third Degree, Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree, Risk of Injury to a Minor and Patronizing a Prostitute.
Pursuant to the agreement, Lazzari faces up to 20 years' incarceration, execution suspended after eight years served, and 10 years of sex offender probation. The agreement also requires Lazzari to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years following his release.
According to court records, Lazzari provided cash, marijuana and alcohol on a number of occasions to two female victims, ages 14 and 16 years old, in exchange for the females kicking him in the groin. Lazzari also offered items of value to these victims in exchange for sexual intercourse. Lazzari also used the social media photographs of one victim to create an escort advertisement in an effort to find customers for this victim to engage in sexual activity with for money. The third victim was a nine-year old female, who was depicted in pornographic still images located on one of the defendant’s electronic devices.
State’s Attorney Doyle would like to extend his gratitude to the Meriden Police Department for their investigative efforts, as well as the Division of Scientific Services (DSS) and the Computers Crimes Unit of the Connecticut State Police within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), in association with members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The cases were prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Adrienne Russo and Assistant State’s Attorney Kathleen Morgan, who were assisted by Inspector Racheal Cain.
Lazzari is scheduled for sentencing in New Haven Superior Court on November 6, 2023.