Witness Tampering Charges Added To Vernon Sexual Assault Case

VERNON, CT — A 21-year-old from Verrnon accused of first-degree sexual assault had six counts of violating a protective order, three counts of witness tampering and one risk of injury to a child charge added to his case Friday, products of his antics less than a week after his initial arrest, a warrant indicates.

The warrant was served on Andy Pho Friday at Rockville Superior Court.

He was initially arrested on Sept. 10 on single counts of sexual assault in the first, third and fourth degrees, two counts of illegal sexual contact with someone younger than 16, second-degree unlawful restraint, and second-degree harassment, according to a report.

The case involves accusations of Pho forcibly touching a 15-year-old girl he had a relationship with, according to an arrest warrant.

He had been released on a $20,000 bond with a full no-contact protective order in place, records show.

He is accuszed of calling the girl on a Trac phoned on Sept, 12 in an effort to arrange a meeting with her, according to a warrant. Testimony outlined in a warrant points to them meeting three days in a row with Pho apologizing but also telling the victim to make sure her father does not press charges. The girl also told police that Pho kissed her during each meeting, despite her being uneasy about it and trying to pull away, according to a warrant.

He is also accused of "spamming" the girl's phone with text messages and calls, according to a warrant. Police uncovered 13 calls and 157 text messages from a seven-hour period on Sept. 15, according to a warrant.

At 7:04 p.m. that Saturday, police were dispatched to the the girl's Vernon home because Pho had shown up and would not leave, according to a warrant. After going to the house, Pho allegdly tried to enter the residence, was banging on a door and yelling through an open window for the girl to come outside and speak with him, according to a warrant.

Pho was arrested that night and charged with two counts of a criminal violation of a protective order, criminal attempt at second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass, second-degree harassment and second-degree breach of peace, a report indicates.

The tampering and protective order charges were then added Friday.

Pho was being held on bonds totaling $510,000andFriday is due back in court on Nov. 30, a clerk at the courthouse said.

See the details of the sexual assault case here.

Photo Credit: Vernon Police

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