Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen At Fairfield Rest Stop

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Maine man was arrested early Friday morning in connection to a sexual assault that occurred at the Fairfield Service Plaza on I-95 South last year, according to Connecticut State Police. Chad J. Harris, 41, was taken into custody at the New Haven Train Station shortly after 5 a.m. on Aug. 17 and is accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile relative at the Fairfield rest stop in February of 2017.

The Kennebec County Sherriff’s Office in Maine contacted Connecticut authorities in January regarding a possible sexual assault at a Connecticut rest stop that was reported to them. The female juvenile victim, who is related to Harris, told Maine investigators on Sept. 15, 2017 that she had been inappropriately touched by Harris while at the rest stop in February 2017. The victim told investigators that the sexual assault took place in the sleeper portion of Harris’ tractor-trailer, as she accompanied him on a work-related trip, according to police. Authorities in Maine were also actively investigating Harris for previous allegations made by the victim.

The incident was originally believed to have occurred in Stratford but it was determined to have taken place at the Fairfield Service Plaza on I-95 South on Feb. 19, 2017, according to police. A warrant was issued for Harris on Aug. 10 following a lengthy investigation. (To sign up for Fairfield breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Authorities developed information that Harris was traveling via Amtrak train from Pennsylvania to Maine on Friday and he was arrested at the New Haven Train Station, according to police.

Harris, of Sanford, Maine, was charged with risk of injury to a child and second-degree sexual assault. He was held on a $150,000 bond and was scheduled to be arraigned at Bridgeport Superior Court on Aug. 17.

Pictured: Chad J. Harris, 41, of Maine / Connecticut State Police

Like Fairfield Patch on Facebook below: