Crime & Safety

East Haven Man, 79, Dies at Home Before Sentencing on Sex Charge: Report

The man was scheduled to spend four years in prison but died at his home before he was to be sentenced.

EAST HAVEN, CT — On April 26 James E. Douglas, 79, of East Haven pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.

As he was awaiting sentencing and about to be sent to prison for the next four years, Douglas died earlier this summer at his home, the New Haven Register reports.

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He was first arrested back in March 2015 and was looking at a four year prison sentence, the Register reports.
The case against Douglas was dismissed the judge said because the defendant died.

According to his death notice via Keenan Funeral Home, Douglas passed away at his home on June 8, 2016.

Find out what's happening in East Havenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Jim was a proud US Veteran serving in the Army. He retired after 32 years as a driver for Connecticut Transit. He was a sports enthusiast and a fan of the New York Yankees. Jim enjoyed traveling and vacationing," the death notice states.

Read the full New Haven Register story here.

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