Cromwell Man Gets Hefty Sentence In 'Child Sex Abuse' Case

CROMWELL, CT — A Cromwell man has been given a hefty sentence in connection with what prosecutors called a "a child sex abuse" case.

Middlesex Judicial District State’s Attorney Michael A. Gailor said that Judge Julia DiCocco on. Thursday sentenced Michael Vardal, 49, of Cromwell, to a "total effective sentence" of 35 years in prison, suspended after 25 years served, followed by 30 years of probation on charges stemming from his "sexual abuse of three children over a period of years and his possession of child sexual abuse material."

Vardal had previously entered a guilty plea to one count first-degree sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, three counts of risk of Injury to a minor and one count of first-degree possession of child sexual abuse material.

Gailor said, "the factual basis for his pleas" established that he engaged in sexual intercourse with a 6-year-old child and had sexual contact with that child on another occasion.

"The factual basis also established that he had sexual intercourse with another child on multiple occasions when the child was between the ages of 13 and 15 and had sexual contact a third child who was 11 years old at the time," Gailor said. "The investigation further revealed that the defendant was in possession of a substantial amount of child sexual abuse material."

Gailor praised "the courage of the victims" for reporting the abuse and expressed "hope that the imposition of the sentence will allow them to move forward with their lives."

State’s Attorney Gailor credited the Cromwell, Middletown and South Windsor police departments for their efforts in the investigation, along with Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Steven Lesko and Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper, who prosecuted the case with the assistance of Inspector Joseph Flynn.