East Windsor Priest Facing Sexual Assault Charges

By Joseph Wenzel IV, Kate Rayner
WFSB
March 31, 2014

http://www.wfsb.com/story/25120031/priest-arrested-for-sexual-assualt

[with video]

EAST WINDSOR, CT (WFSB) -

A priest, who is currently on leave from his church, was arraigned Monday afternoon on multiple charges of sexual assault.

Father Paul Gotta, 55, was arrested and charged with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and five counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.

According to court documents, the alleged assaults involved a minor and took place in South Windsor over the course of about a year. The assaults started in January 2012.

Gotta is the same priest connected to an investigation into an alleged threat against a school by a local teenager.

Gotta was connected to 18-year-old Kyle Bass, who allegedly made threats against the Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield.

Bass denied the allegations. According to court documents, Gotta said Bass told him, "You should bring your gun with you when you walk your dog. You never know when someone will jump out of the bushes and shoot you or the dog."

After Gotta said he found bullets on his doorstep, he told police he feared for his and the public's safety.

Investigators said Gotta helped Bass acquire thousands of rounds of ammunition along with a hand gun. Gotta also allegedly helped the teen make a pipe bomb.

Gotta was placed on "administrative leave" after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Officials with Archdiocese previously said Gotta would be on leave "until the matter is resolved through the legal system."

Gotta was arrested Monday morning at his home in Bridgeport where he's been on house arrest. He has to wear an ankle bracelet monitored by the federal government, which is a condition of his release while he awaits trial for the gun charges.

Gotta faced a judge at Enfield Superior Court for the first time on Monday. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.