A 22-year-old man has been arrested after police allege he had a sexual relationship with a juvenile girl.
The Ucon Police Department detained Alexander Doyle Silvas on Wednesday night. He has a $50,000 bond.
According to court records, Silvas has been charged with criminal rape of a 16 or 17-year-old victim, felony sexual battery perpetrated by lewd or lascivious conduct on a young kid, and felony witness intimidation.
On September 9, the parents of a 16-year-old girl contacted the UConn Police Department. They said their daughter was in a relationship with Silvas, who resided in the same house as the victim at the time of the alleged crimes, according to a news release.
The parents stated that another family member watched what they believed to be Silvas and the victim “engage in sexual activities on multiple occasions.”
Police interviewed the victim, who first disputed the charges. However, in a follow-up interview, she admitted to having been in a sexual connection with Silvas for several years, according to the news release.
Police examined Silvas, who denied having sexual contact with the victim but admitted to “kissing and groping” her over her clothes.
Silvas said that damning discussions between himself and the victim on Snapchat, in which they discussed establishing a sexual relationship, could be discovered. He maintained the chats were just “talk.”
According to the news release, he conducted chats on Snapchat without realizing he was talking to law enforcement acting as the victim, and making assertions that contradicted what he told authorities when interviewed.
“The Ucon Police Department would like to thank the Bonneville County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance and quick work in this investigation, as well as the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Bonneville County Probation,” according to the news release.
Silvas’ preliminary hearing is planned for October 16 at 1 p.m. at the Bonneville County Courthouse.
Silvas has been accused of these crimes, but that does not necessarily imply he committed them. Everyone is deemed innocent until proven guilty.