Ledyard ― A 43-year-old man whose last known address was in Mystic was arrested on first-degree sexual assault and other charges Thursday based on a 15-year-old girl’s complaint that he assaulted her numerous times, beginning when she was 11.

After a months-long investigation, Ledyard police picked up Jason Steele in Norwich at approximately 6:19 a.m. Thursday and charged him with first-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.

On June 1, according to the affidavit for Steele’s arrest warrant, a private counselor warned the state Department of Children and Families of a possible child abuse case stemming from information the counselor had gathered during a meeting with the victim.

During a June 29 forensic interview at the New London County Child Advocacy Center, it was determined that Ledyard police would pursue the matter. Information gathered during the interview was forwarded to Detective Christopher Cadro, according to the affidavit.

Due to a problem with the recording device, only the second half of the interview was documented, the affidavit says.

In that portion of the interview, the girl details numerous occasions between 2019 and 2020 on which she said Steele sexually assaulted her at his former home and in his car, according to the affidavit.

Steele was arraigned Thursday in New London Superior Court, where his bond was set at $150,000. His next court date is Oct. 18.