Couple Enters Plea In 2022 Vernon Sexual Assault Case

VERNON, CT — A couple arrested in 2022 in connection with a Vernon sexual assault investigation involving a teenage girl and others dating back two years prior has entered a plea in the case, prosecutors said.

Tolland Judicial District State’s Attorney Matthew C. Gedansky and Hartford Judicial District State's Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott said that Carlos Rivera and Taina Rivera, both 43 and formerly of Vernon, each entered guilty pleas Friday in Rockville Superior Court on two counts of second-degree sexual and a single count of third-degree sexual assault.

They were each facing, at the time of their arrests in April 2022, 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, warrants show.

The Riveras’ arrest was the result of a lengthy investigation by detectives with the Vernon Police Department and Hartford Police Department.

In April 2022, Vernon police received a complaint from a girl identified as the victim of "sexual abuse perpetrated" by Carlos and Taina Rivera, according to case records. As a result of that complaint, police in multiple jurisdictions launched investigations that resulted in the arrest of the Riveras in connection with the sexual assaults of three people, two of which were minors at the time, prosecutors said.

In one instance, the Riveras were accused of bringing a teenage girl, whom they met through a friend, to area hotels seven times in 2020 and 2021, according to the warrants. 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. The two denied intercourse was involved, the warrants show. Alcoholic beverages were often involved with the visits, according to the warrants.

Sentencing for both is scheduled for Sept. 27 in Rockville Superior Court.