Willington Man, 70, Charged With Sex Assault, Giving Minor Alcohol

WILLINGTON, CT — A 15-year-old was caught by state police driving a car belonging to her 70-year-old passenger and by the time the traffic stop was over, the elderly man was charged with sexual assault and providing alcohol to the teen, according to a warrant served last week.

The formal charges against Willington resident Mark Ehret include the sale or delivery of liquor to a minor, risk of injury to a child and fourth-degree sexual assault, records show.

According t0 a warrant, at 12:20 a.m. 0n July 4, state police pulled over a gray Volkswagen on Route 32 near Pinney Hill Street. Troopers immediately noticed the driver climb into the rear seat of the car, according to a warrant.

The driver admitted to state police that she was 15 and was driving the vehicle for its 70-year-old owner — Ehret, according to a warrant. The two were returning from a fireworks gathering to which Ehret had invited her when they met by chance in town earlier in the day, according to testimony outlined in a warrant. The trip was consensual, and her parents were under the impression the girl was going to meet a friend her age, according to a warrant.

At the fireworks party and during the drive back, Ehret touched the girl in a sexual manner several times and also kissed her several times, according t0 a warrant. He is accused of asking for more, but the girl said she refused, according to a warrant.

Ehret was suspected of being drunk and the teen was exposed to alcohol, according to a warrant.

The warrant was issued out of Rockville Superior Court after a lengthy investigation.