Man, Woman Arrested In Connection With Child Molestation Investigation in Vernon

An investigation into allegations of child molestation in Vernon has led to the arrest of a man who has been charged with sexual assault and a woman who is romantically linked to him and accused of hindering the investigation, according to police.

Police said they arrested 50-year-old Ronald Daniel on June 10 and charged him with several counts of sexual assault. On Tuesday, they arrested 53-year-old Dianne Margelony, of Vernon. According to police, she was romantically linked to Margelony, encouraged a witness to lie to the police and refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Daniel was charged with four counts of sexual assault in the first degree, three counts of employing a minor in an obscene performance, four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under 13 years old, four counts of illegal sexual contact with a victim under 16 years old, three counts of sexual assault in the third degree, risk of injury to a child, unlawful restraint in the first degree, two counts of threatening in the second degree and assault in the third degree.

He is due in court on Nov.22, according to online court records.

Police said there was a joint investigation between the Vernon Police, Department of Children and Families, State Police and Homeland Security Investigations and Daniel was charged in both state and federal courts.

Police said Margelony’s actions hindered the investigative efforts, prolonged the investigation, and potentially subjected the child to further harm.

She is also accused of providing additional false information to investigators regarding how, when, and why she got rid of a camper she owned that was reported to be where some of the sexual assaults occurred, according to police.