On Wednesday, July 4 at approximately 10 a.m., Gulford Police responded to the report of a sexual assault that was reported as having occurred in the North Guilford section of town at a private residence.  Lawrence Pierce, 52, who was reportedly friends with the alleged victim, a 52-year-old female, was taken into custody at the female's residence, where the assault occurred. Pierce is currently a registered sex offender in Tennessee, where he is presently wanted on other charges. His last known address is in Plainville.

Pierce was held on the following charges: sexual assault in the first degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, and disorderly conduct. He was held on a $250,000 bond and was scheduled to be arraigned at New Haven Superior Court on Thursday, July 5.