HARTFORD, Conn. -- A former information specialist for the state Department
of Children and Families was convicted Friday of drugging and sexually
assaulting a co-worker.
John R. Peloso III, of Glastonbury, was found guilty of second-degree
assault, delivery of a controlled substance and third-degree sexual assault,
but he was acquitted of first-degree sexual assault and one count of
second-degree sexual assault.
A former co-worker testified that Peloso gave her a pill, took photographs
of her while she was naked and sexually assaulted her after a night of
partying in August 2004.
Police said they searched his home and found medications including sedatives
and hundreds of videotapes and photographs. Police said they also found a
video camera that had black electrical tape placed over the red "on"
indicator light.
Some of the videos and photos showed nude women and Peloso engaged in sexual
acts, according to police.
Peloso told police he let the woman come home with him because she was too
drunk to drive, and took her to a bedroom so she would be comfortable, the
affidavit said. He denied taking photographs. The woman told police that
when she accused Peloso of taking pictures, he opened a camera and exposed
the film.
Doctors at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford performed a
rape examination and found no trauma, but found scratches and bruises the
woman said she did not have before going to Peloso's home. Police said
doctors found traces of methlyenedioxyamphetamine, or MDA, in her blood.
DCF spokesman Gary Kleeblatt said Peloso, an 18-year employee, was suspended
immediately after his arrest, then fired this year for serious off-duty
misconduct toward several female co-workers. Kleeblatt declined further
comment about whether there were additional victims but said counseling or
other assistance is available to any affected employees.
"He was terminated and we have great concern for any DCF staff who might be
affected, and we take the treatment of our own staff very seriously, and we
want to do everything we can to be supportive of them," Kleeblatt said.
"We're very concerned about any staff who may have been victimized."