Borough police charge Stratford man with sexual assault

NAUGATUCK — Police arrested a 60-year-old Stratford man after they say he sexually abused a girl over three years.

Antonio Neves surrendered to police on Sept. 29 in connection with a months-long sexual assault investigation that was launched in February.

Naugatuck High School staff were told about a possible sexual abuse case earlier this year, police said. School staff notified police and the state Department of Children and Families. The abuse allegations didn’t involve the school in any way, police said.

Police said Neves sexually assaulted the girl, who he knew, when she was between 10 to 13 years old. Police said the incidents occurred in Naugatuck.

Police charged Neves with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, four counts of illegal sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16 and three counts of second-degree unlawful restraint.

Neves was initially held on a $250,000 bond, but that was lowered to a $100,000 bond, which he posted, after he appeared in Waterbury Superior Court. He is scheduled to appear in court again Oct. 14.