3 Charged In 'Violent' Assault, 'Torture' Incident: Branford Police

BRANFORD, CT —Branford police have arrested and charged three people, one man, 22, and two teens, in connection with a violent assault and torture incident that occurred in a wooded area within the town on Sept. 1, the department posted to social media Wednesday night.

This is the Branford police account:

"The suspects are alleged to have lured the victim to a remote location, where the victim was held against their will for approximately three hours and subjected to a series of brutal and heinous acts. During the period of captivity, the victim endured multiple forms of torture, including being physically assaulted, slashed, set on fire, pistol-whipped, and sexually assaulted. These traumatic and violent actions left the victim with serious injuries.

Police were made aware of the incident after receiving information about a video recording that captured a portion of the ordeal. Officers were able to identify and locate the crime scene. The victim was later found receiving treatment for their injuries at a local hospital.

Following a thorough investigation, arrest warrants were secured, and all suspects were apprehended without incident."

Avante Ryan, 22, of Hartford, was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, conspiracy to commit cruelty to persons, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree threatening, and risk of injury to a child.

He is currently in Branford Police custody and being held on a $1 million bond, and will be arraigned in New Haven Thursday morning.

The two juveniles, both 17, are charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, cruelty to persons, conspiracy to commit cruelty to persons, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm, first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree threatening, and risk of injury to a child. Both juveniles are currently being detained, each on $1 million bond each.

"At this time, the investigation has revealed this was an isolated incident," police wrote. "We are grateful for those in the community that provided information and cooperation. The Branford Police Department would also like to thank the New Haven State’s Attorney's Office, the Hartford Police Department, and the Judicial Marshals at Hartford Superior Court for their assistance."