For someone who spent years ranting about immigrants breaking "our laws", this comes as a bit hypocritical...
Hidden in the "Your Town" section of the July 28th edition of the online News-Times is this disturbing bit of news about a former 2007 mayoral candidate and former highly visible member of the anti-immigrant movement.
Bethel man charged with 2008 rape
NEW MILFORD-- A Bethel man was charged with first-degree sexual assault Monday as the result of an investigation by New Milford police.
John McGowan, 43, of Fairchild Drive, was charged with first-degree sexual assault.
Police Lt. James Duda said the alleged victim was an adult female with whom McGowan was involved last year.
First as Treasurer of the Greater Danbury Chapter of Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Control in 2005, then as Vice President of Elise Marciano's infamous anti-immigrant group, United States Citizens For Immigration and Law Enforcement, from late 2005-2007, McGowan's outrageous public antics served as a critical component in the early days of the anti-immigrant movement in Danbury.
For example, here's highlights of McGowan in action harassing marchers and desecrating a Mexican Flag during the immigration march of 2006.
According to CT Defense Lawyer website, charged with a CLASS B felony, if found guilty, McGowan could be sentenced to 1 to 20 years in prison and fined up to 15,000 dollars.
UPDATE 08.04.09: Accoording to the court records department at the Bantam GA 18 courthouse, yesterday, McGowan's case has been moved to the Litchfield District Courthouse and re-scheduled for September 1st.
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
For someone who spent years ranting about immigrants breaking "our laws", this comes as a bit hypocritical...
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
