(Hartford) - On Monday, May 24, 2004, Hartford Police Department's Youth and Family Services Division Detectives arrested of William Semidey, age 24, of Hartford on charges of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree and Risk of Injury to a Minor.  Semidey is accused of having an ongoing relationship with a fourteen (14) year old female, who is now allegedly pregnant with his child.  In a written confession to Detective Robert Davis Jr., Semidey acknowledged he knew his relationship was wrong, but pursued it anyway.  Semidey was arrested based on  an arrest warrant submitted on March 29, 2004 by Officer Jeffrey Rousseau of the Hartford Police Department's Patrol Division. Semidey was held overnight on a judge set $5,000.00 bond with arraignment scheduled on May 25, 2004 in Hartford Superior Court. 

     "Statutory rape" makes up approximately twenty five percent of the Youth and Family Services Division's caseload. In order to reduce the frequency of this type of crime and to establish partnerships with the City of Hartford's school system as well as the students themselves, the Youth and Family Services Division began speaking with students during health classes at the local high schools. This is being done in an informal setting, where a dialogue and rapport are started with the students making them aware of the legal aspects of underage sexual activity along with their consequences.  

     Sexual Assault in the Second Degree (Connecticut General Statute 53a-71, a.k.a. "Statutory Rape") is a "Class B Felony" which is punishable by not less than one (1) year nor more than twenty (20) years and/or a fine up to $15,000.00. A person is guilty of sexual assault in the second degree when such person engages in sexual intercourse with another person and: (1) Such other person is thirteen years of age or older but under sixteen years of age and the actor is more than two years older than such person...

Sergeant James A. Bernier
Supervisor, Youth and Family Services Division
(860)527-7300 ext. 5251