Man Charged In Vernon 'Abuse' Case

VERNON, CT — A 35-year-old Vernon man is facing several charges in connection with a violent domestic abuse case, according to police.

Anthony LaFrancis initially failed to failed to post a $250,000 bond after being arraigned on charges that include first-degree threatening with a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace, records show. He has since posted that bond and is due back in court on Nov. 4, judicial system records show.

According to a warrant, on Jan. 19, a local resident came to the Vernon police department and told police that she needed help escaping from "an abusive relationship."

The woman identified the abuser as LaFrancis, according to a warrant.

She claimed he had sent her threatening text messages and also a video of him holding a gun, according to a warrant. LaFrancis said he did have a gun but not send such a video, according to a warrant.

The woman also accused him of holding the weapon to her head and choking her. The woman had a bruise on her arm consistent with being beaten with an object, according to a warrant. Police encountered a trashed bedroom when they entered the dwelling, according to a warrant.

The woman told police she feared for her life because of LaFrancis, whom police later determined to be a danger to her and himself, according to a warrant.