Man gets 7 years in box-cutter slashing

LITCHFIELD » A New Milford man was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday in Litchfield Superior Court after pleading guilty to slashing two men with a box-cutter while attempting to recoup money owed him.

Christopher Valedon, 23, then of 8 High Trail, pleaded guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and was sentenced to 14 years in prison Friday, suspended after seven, with five years of probation afterward.

Judge Kari Dooley said Friday she hoped that Valedon would step away from the world of narcotics-trafficking when he is released from prison.

“It’s one of the most dangerous, violent businesses out there,” said Dooley. “If you return to the world of narcotics trafficking, you will be back (here).”

Valedon had originally been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit home invasion, firstdegree kidnapping, home invasion and first-degree assault after the incident on Oct. 1, 2016.

According to an affidavit, Valedon cut two New Milford residents with what is alternatively described as a knife, box-cutter or razor blade while meeting up with them in an attempt to recoup money owed him.

Valedon had supplied one of the men with cocaine, for which he was owed money, according to the affidavit.

Another man, accused of stealing some of the cocaine by the first, told police that he had moved it under the couch in a New Milford home, in order to keep it from being left out in the open when he left.

The three later met, according to testimony recounted in the affidavit, along with other individuals.

During this meeting, Valedon “was very animated, pacing and clapping his hands together,” according to the affidavit, and “yelling at (the two men) that he wants his money and he is not leaving without it.”

Valedon cut both men during this meeting, according to the affidavit.

One was cut in the face, according to the affidavit, while the other told police that he had later realized “he had multiple lacerations to numerous parts of his back and head,” which he likely sustained while fleeing the scene.

At least one gunshot was heard as the incident occurred, according to the affidavit.

Valedon was also given a sentence of five years in prison on an charge of violation of probation Friday, according to court documents, to be served concurrently.

This stems from a 2012 convictions for two counts of sale of narcotics, according to court records.