House Republican Press Release

June 4, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. DelGobbo:  Jessica’s Law = Zero Tolerance for Sexual Predators

Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor Gets you 25 years in Jail

Jessica’s Law, which gained final legislative approval by the state House of Representatives Saturday, puts sexual predators on notice that Connecticut will be coming down hard on anyone who targets children, Representative Kevin M. DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck, said after the vote.

“Naugatuck residents and citizens throughout our state for years have been demanding zero tolerance for those who target children. Today, the General Assembly sent a clear message to sexual offenders:  if you prey on children in Connecticut, you are going to be behind bars for a long, long time. You are also going to be facing serious jail time if you are in possession of child pornography,” Representative DelGobbo said.

“The legislation we approved today will provide greater protection for children – not only from violent sexual offenders, but also from those who use internet web sites to entice children under 13 into prostitution or other sexual activities,” Representative DelGobbo said. “It will be a strong deterrent to sex offenders who are tempted to victimize children. The mandatory sentences the bill creates will ensure that those offenders are off the street for years at a time and unable to threaten our most vulnerable citizens.”

The measure establishes the crime of aggravated sexual assault, which targets individuals who commit certain crimes against a child under age 13 and:

• kidnap, illegally restrain, stalk, disfigure, cause serious injury to, or use violence against the victim;
• commit the same offense against more than one victim under age 13;
• do not know the victim; or
• have been previously convicted of a violent sexual assault.

Under the legislation, aggravated sexual assault of a minor is a Class A felony, punishable by 25 to 50 years in prison, a fine of up to $ 20,000, or both. For first offenders, the mandatory minimum prison term is 25 years. For subsequent offenders, it is 50 years.

The measure also imposes shorter mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for enticing a child under age 13, having sexual or indecent contact with a child under age 13, employing a minor in an obscene performance, and importing or possessing child pornography.

The legislation, which was sent to Governor Rell to be signed into law, takes effect July 1, 2007.