Woman Facing Tampering Charges In Vernon Child Rape Case

VERNON, CT — Vernon police on Wednesday said they have arrested a local woman for hindering an investigation in a violent rape case involving a child.

Dianne Margelony, 53, of Campbell Avene, Vernon, was taken into custody on a warrant Tuesday, police said. She was charged with witness tampering, interfering with police and second-degree providing a false statement, records show.

Margelony's arrest is related to the June 10 arrest of 50-year-old Ronald Daniel on four counts of first-degree sexual assault, three counts of employing a minor in an obscene performance, four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim younger than 13, four counts of illegal sexual contact with a victim younger than 16, three counts of third-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a child, first-degree unlawful restraint, two counts of second-degree threatening and third-degree assault.

He is currently in custody on a $750,000 bond. Daniel's state case has "pre-trial" status and and he is due back in court on Nov. 22, according to judicial system records.

Ronald Daniel (VPD)

The case involves a joint investigation between the Vernon Police, the state Department of Children and Families, state police and federal Homeland Security Investigations. Daniel was charged in both state and federal courts.

According to a warrant, while police were investigating Daniel for "sexually molesting" a child in Vernon on "numerous occasions," Margelony allegedly encouraged a witness to lie to the police and then refused to cooperate with the investigation.

The investigation showed that Margelony was romantically involved with Daniel, according to a warrant.

Margelony's actions "hindered the investigative efforts, prolonged the investigation and potentially subjected the child to further harm," police said.

She is also accused of providing "additional false information to investigators" in her sworn statement regarding how, when, and why she "got rid" of a camper she owned that was reported to be where some of the sexual assaults occurred, according to a warrant.

Despite her attempts to "mislead investigators," authorities were able to track down the camper, which led to the "recovery of evidence potentially related to the sexual assaults."

Margelony was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and will be arraigned Rockville GA 19, police said.