Man pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting group home patient

A 51-year-old man charged with sexually assaulting a disabled man he cared for at an East Lyme group home made his first appearance today in the New London court where major crimes are heard.

Ashton M. Allen of 5 Fifers Lane, Ledyard, pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree sexual assault and third-degree strangulation.

Allen worked the midnight shift as a residential facilitator at a group home for mentally and physically disabled clients of the state Department of Developmental Services. According to an arrest warrant affidavit prepared by detective Michael Hoagland, the state police began investigating in April 2011 when the alleged victim, a 26-year-old man, told other staff members that Allen had been sneaking into his bedroom at night and forcing him to perform sexual acts. The man said that for the past one to two years, Allen had been giving him money, video games, donuts and McDonalds food in exchange for sexual favors. The man said Allen would forcefully choke him during sex and that they sometimes had sex in the shower.

Suspended from his job and confronted by police, Allen, who is married with two children, denied sexual contact and any inappropriate acts with the victim.

The state police continued to investigate for several months. They interviewed group home staff members, the alleged victim’s psychiatrist and social worker and others and obtained an arrest warrant in December.

Allen posted a $75,000 bond following his arrest and has retained New London attorney Sandy M. Moore. During his court appearance today, Judge Patrick J. Clifford continued the case and reminded Allen he is to have no contact with the victim.