Former Officer, Fire Chief Charged With Sexual Assault At CT Boat Launch, Officials Say

A former police officer and fire chief has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened at a Connecticut boat launch, officials announced.

The incident happened at the Little Pond Boat Launch in Thompson.
Photo Credit: *Google Maps/Pixabay via Diego Fabian Parra Pabon*

Ben Crnic

03/03/2024 8:30 a.m.

Middlesex County resident Jay Rankin of Old Saybrook turned himself in to Environmental Conservation Police on Monday morning, Feb. 26 in connection with an incident that happened in the Windham County town of Thompson, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

According to DEEP, in July 2023, EnCon Police were told of a sexual assault that happened at the Little Pond Boat Launch in Thompson. Following an investigation, officers then applied for and were granted a warrant for Rankin's arrest, officials said.

Rankin, who was once a police officer in Old Lyme and was the Fire Chief of the Old Saybrook Fire Department, was charged with:

Third-degree sexual assault;
Fourth-degree sexual assault;
Public indecency;
Second-degree breach of peace;
Prohibited activities in limited access areas.

Rankin was processed on a $50,000 bond and turned over to Connecticut Superior Court in Danielson.

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