North Haven EMT Charged with Sexual Assault of Patient

Mark Powell, a 49-year-old EMT for American Medical Response (AMR) living in North Haven, turned himself into Hamden police Thursday after charges were filed against him for the sexual assault of a patient in his care. 

According to Captain Ronald Smith of the Hamden police, the victim is a 22-year-old woman and Hamden resident.

Powell is alleged to have picked up the woman in an AMR ambulance from a Christmas party early on December 25 after the victim fell and hit her head.

Initially unconscious, the woman awoke in the ambulance en route to Yale-New Haven Hospital to find Powell sexually assaulting her. The woman was strapped to a gurney at the time and could not move, she told police. 

After the woman was released from the hospital, she contacted Hamden police, who enacted an arrest warrant for Powell on January 5. 

From a statement issued by Hamden police chief Thomas Wydra:

"The allegations in this case represent outrageous and horrifying conduct by an emergency medical professional. Our society places the greatest level of trust and confidence in its public safety providers, and the circumstances in this case reflect a tremendous breach of that faith. The victim in this incident demonstrated enormous strength and courage in bringing this complaint forward."

Powell was released from custody on a $25,000 bond pending a court appearance on January 19.