Bodega Owner Accused of Exchanging Groceries for Sexual Contact With Girl

Hartford police have arrested a bodega owner who is accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a girl and paying the woman who brought her to him in groceries and cash.

Police said Ruffino Fernandez, 55, is accused of sexually assaulting the girl and the alleged assaults happened between four and six times in the fall and winter of 2012.

Wilenlia David, 29, of East Hartford, is accused of bringing the girl to Fernandez and was paid in groceries as well as money, according to Hartford police.

She remains at large and is wanted on charges including two counts or sexually assaulting a victim under the age of 13, one count of fourth-degree sexual assault, three counts of conspiracy, risk of injury to a minor and prostitution.

Fernandez was in jail at the time of his arrest on gun and drug possession charges, according to Hartford police.

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