New Haven man found guilty of decade-long sexual assault of minor

Demarres Taft, Sr. convicted of first-degree sexual assault of victim starting at age 6

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of metal handcuffs against a stark black background, conceptually representing the accountability of a perpetrator of child sexual abuse.The conviction of a New Haven man for the decade-long sexual assault of a minor child underscores the urgent need for greater protections and justice for vulnerable victims.New Haven Today

A 46-year-old New Haven man has been found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor over the course of a decade, starting when the victim was just 6 years old and continuing until she was 16 years old. Demarres Taft, Sr. was convicted of first-degree sexual assault based on evidence presented at the trial.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating and long-lasting impacts of child sexual abuse, which can have severe psychological, emotional, and developmental consequences for victims. It also underscores the importance of thorough investigations and strong prosecution of these types of predatory crimes to protect vulnerable members of the community.

The details

According to the evidence presented, Taft sexually assaulted the victim repeatedly over a 10-year period, from the time she was 6 years old until she reached 16 years of age. Taft was found guilty of first-degree sexual assault as a result of the trial.

  • The sexual assaults began when the victim was 6 years old.
  • The sexual assaults continued until the victim was 16 years old.
  • Taft was found guilty on Tuesday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Demarres Taft, Sr.

A 46-year-old New Haven resident who was found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor over the course of a decade.

Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice

The state agency that prosecuted the case against Taft.

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What’s next

Taft is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2026.

The takeaway

This conviction serves as a reminder of the critical need to thoroughly investigate and prosecute cases of child sexual abuse to protect vulnerable members of the community and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.