Couple Charged In Vernon Sexual Assault Investigation Involving Teen

VERNON, CT — A Vernon couple is facing 20 criminal charges times two in a sexual assault investigation involving a teenage girl dating back to 2020 police said.

Warrants were served late last week to Carlos and Taina Rivera, both 41 and both from Vernon. They have each been charged with five counts of first-degree sexual assault, five counts of third-degree sexual assault, five counts of risk of injury to a child and five counts of illegal sexual contact with a victim younger than 16, the warrants show.

Both were in custody Wednesday morning on bonds of $250,000 each and are due in Rockville Superior Court for a second appearance on May 20, judicial system records show.

The girl, who lives in Hartford, met the Riveras through a friend and was 13 and 14 at the times of the incidents, according to the warrants. She was a frequent visitor with them through the friend, according to the warrants. The accusations involved several forms of sexual contact — including intercourse — the warrants indicate.

A complaint was lodged with Vernon police by the girl's parents earlier this month, records show.

The Riveras are accused of bringing the girl to area hotels seven times in 2020 and 2021, according to the warrant. They are accused of, on one occasion, renting a room, using the pool and then heading back to the room, where sext acts ensued, according to the warrants.

Sex acts also took place at the Rivera's Vernon apartment at least five times, according to the warrants.

Alcoholic beverages were often involved with the visits, according to the warrants.

In a "controlled phone call" with police, some of the sex acts were acknowledged, but intercourse was denied, according to the warrants.