A man accused of crawling through the bedroom window of a home in downtown Meriden and raping a 10-year-old girl while she was sleeping placed a pillow over the child's face and told her he was going to kill her, according to court documents.
Desmond James, 23, of Waterbury, who is also known as Jose Gonzalez, was arrested on Friday evening in Waterbury. Police said he ran from officers and was found with "several bundles" of heroin.
According to police, James climbed through the girl's bedroom window early Wednesday morning. As Gonzalez was leaving, the victim woke up the rest of her family. Her mother caught a glimpse of him just and was able to provide a partial description to police.
The girl told police that her attacker said "nothing was going to hurt," and placed a pillow over her face, according to court documents. She tried to fight James off and kick him, but she was not able to.
Police said DNA evidence taken from the victim helped them identify James as the perpetrator.
James also matched the description police received the scene. He was charged with home invasion, first-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, unlawful restraint and threatening.
James was also wanted on an outstanding warrant for escaping from the Connecticut Department of Correction's Parole Division, according to police.
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Meriden police have not disclosed whether James knew the family prior to the assault, but said he is not on the list of people associated with the victim's home. In an effort to protect the victim, authorities have not released the location of the residence.
Court records show Desmond James has been previously convicted on burglary and robbery charges out of Meriden in 2011 and 2012.
He remains held on $1 million. He is due in court again on Nov. 5.
