A man and two juveniles face a slew of charges after police say they lured someone into the woods in Branford earlier this month and committed “heinous acts” of violence against the victim who was reportedly slashed, set on fire and sexually assaulted.
The “violent assault and torture” was reported on Sept. 1 in an unspecified wooded area described as a remote location where the victim was allegedly held against their will for about three hours, according to the Branford Police Department.
Police said the victim suffered serious injuries during a “series of brutal and heinous acts.”
“During the period of captivity, the victim endured multiple forms of torture, including being physically assaulted, slashed, set on fire, pistol-whipped and sexually assaulted.” the police department said in a statement.
Investigators learned of the incident after being informed that there was a video recording that captured part of it. Authorities were able to identify and locate the crime scene before finding the victim who was receiving treatment at an area hospital.
Authorities obtained arrest warrants for three individuals, including 22-year-old Avante Ryan of Hartford and two 17-year-olds.
Ryan faces charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, conspiracy to commit cruelty to persons, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree threatening and risk of injury to a minor.
Ryan was apprehended Wednesday and was held on a $1 million bond. He was expected to face a judge in New Haven Superior Court on Thursday.
Both juveniles who were arrested face charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, conspiracy to commit cruelty to persons, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree threatening and risk of injury to a child.
The juveniles were each detained on a $1 million bond, police said.
“At this time, the investigation has revealed this was an isolated incident,” Branford police said. “We are grateful for those in the community that provided information and cooperation. The Branford Police Department would also like to thank the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, the Hartford Police Department, and the Judicial Marshals at Hartford Superior Court for their assistance.”