Man accused of Seymour sex assault gets suspended sentence

Ceccorulli had initially been charged with first-degree sexual assault in the case, in which a Seymour woman he knew said she had picked Ceccorulli up early one morning ... because he was drunk and brought him to her house, where she said, he had sexually assaulted her after pulling out a knife.

MILFORD — A Naugatuck man initially accused of sexually assaulting a Seymour woman in 2020 received a suspended sentence and probation last week after pleading no contest to reduced charges.

Christopher Ceccorulli, 41, appeared before Judge Peter Brown Thursday at Superior Court in Milford.

He had entered written pleas of nolo contendere Nov. 3 to charges of first-degree unlawful restraint and carrying a dangerous weapon.

The pleas mean Ceccorulli did not admit or deny the charges, but the judge entered a finding of guilty.

Ceccorulli had initially been charged with first-degree sexual assault in the case, in which a Seymour woman he knew said she had picked Ceccorulli up early one morning from the Diablos Motorcycle Club on Hawkins Street in Derby because he was drunk and brought him to her house, where she said, he had sexually assaulted her after pulling out a knife.

Ceccorulli’s lawyer, Jason Spilka, said his client has consistently denied culpability.

“Mr. Ceccorulli has maintained his innocence from the beginning of this case, and we were willing to take his case all the way to trial to prove his innocence,” Spilka said. “A deal was worked out that took all factors into consideration, and we were able to resolve this short of trial.”

The victim wasn’t in court Thursday, but State’s Attorney Margaret E. Kelley cited a confidential sentencing report that she said detailed how the Oct. 24, 2020 incident “traumatized her and impacted her life in many ways.”

Though initially accused of sexual assault, the prosecutor noted during the sentencing that the reduced charges accused Ceccorulli only of restraining the victim while carrying a knife.

“The factual basis did not discuss the sexual events, and that was part of the plea agreement,” Kelley said.

Spilka declined to comment on the specific factual allegations, but said the plea deal was the best way to resolve the case.

“We do believe that this is an appropriate disposition, given all of the circumstances,” he said.