East Haven Man, 48, Charged In Years-Long Child Rape, Abuse Case: PD

EAST HAVEN, CT — A 48-year-old East Haven man has been charged with the rape and sexual assault of a child who was a member of his family beginning when the girl was seven and continued until she was 18, according to police.

Widman A. Vicuna-Rodriguez was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a victim between the ages of 2 and 12, an A felony, and illegal sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16, a B felony.

If found guilty on the child rape charge, per state law, 10 years of the sentence may not be suspended or reduced.

According to East Haven police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo, Vicuna-Rodriguez "created opportunities to be alone with the victim, which was when the abuse occurred." It's alleged that Vicuna-Rodriguez told the girl that should she tell, he'd harm her, that he'd be jailed, and the family would be on the street.

When East Haven police took the initial complaint from the now-young woman in late 2021, Detective Monique Colbert began investigating. Murgo said she worked on the complex case for more than a year.

"When dealing with investigations that involve crimes which span over the course of many years, investigators have to be thorough and meticulous with the details provided," Murgo said in praise of Colbert's work.

Vicuna-Rodriguez was arrested Nov. 6. Initially held on $150,000 bail, he was released on a surety bond. He is due back on court, Dec. 5, court records show.