Man Gets 10 Years In Coventry Assault/Manchester Stolen Gun Case

VERNON, CT – A former Coventry man has been sentenced in a sexual assault case that also involved a gun stolen out of Manchester.

Tolland State's Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky said that Joseph Lodge, 39, previously of Coventry, was sentenced Monday to a total effective sentence of 10 years — suspended after five and a half years served — to be followed by five years of probation, for a 2020 sexual assault in Coventry.

The sentencing by Judge Kathleen E. McNamara followed Lodge's conviction on Aug. 5, in Rockville Superior Court on charges that include fourth-degree sexual assault, first-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree strangulation, third-degree assault and stealing a firearm.

Lodge was arrested on Sept. 12 after Coventry police received a 911 text, Gedansky said.

According to court records, officers responded immediately to the location and located the victim with Lodge.

The victim told police that Lodge had assaulted her throughout the night, and that when she tried to escape, he grabbed her and carried her back into the home, striking her head when he dropped her on pavement. According to court records, Lodge is also accused of choking the woman and sexually assaulting her. The woman told police Lodge had a gun at the home and officers later recovered a fully loaded Ruger pistol, identified as a stolen firearm from Manchester.

"The deleterious effects of these devastating assaults on both victims and their children can lead to life-long consequences," Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Jaclyn Preville said.

She prosecuted the case.

"All victims deserve to be protected from their abusers and this case highlights the need for continued vigilance against sexual assaults," she added. "I would like to extend appreciation to the victim for her patience in this prosecution, as well as the Coventry Police Department for their investigation in this case."