WATERBURY — A 41-year-old Naugatuck man was convicted of multiple crimes Oct. 29 following a trial on sexual assault charges involving minors.
A jury of six in Waterbury Superior Court found James Aho guilty of all counts he faced, including first- and second-degree sexual assault, strangulation and illegal sexual contact.
Aho came to the attention of police last year after he was shot in the stomach in Prospect following a fight at his wedding reception that stemmed from allegations that he was molesting and raping children. He was later shot in the stomach by the bride’s father after a witness told police Aho charged at the older man, according to police reports.
In the following weeks, investigators interviewed a girl who told them Aho had molested her for years, as well as harassing her and choking her until she passed out.
A second young girl told an investigator Aho forced himself on her. One of the girls had disclosed the abuse to the relative who confronted Aho about it at the party, which led to the police investigation.
Senior assistant state’s attorneys Amy Sedensky and Don Therkildsen Jr. prosecuted the case.
Sedensky said she appreciated the time jurors spent on the case. The victims showed remarkable courage and strength in testifying during the trial, Sedensky said.
Aho, a felon with a criminal history that includes multiple robbery convictions, awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 7. Aho faces at least 20 years in prison. Sedensky said the sentence prosecutors will recommend is still under consideration, but that they will be asking for more than that minimum amount of prison time.
