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ANSONIA – An Ansonia man was found guilty on Tuesday (July 23) of using Instagram to “groom” a minor into having a sexual relationship with him in 2019.
Christian Harris, now 33, was arrested in 2020 after police investigators found evidence that he had begun a sexual relationship with a victim who was 15 at the time. According to an arrest warrant, the victim’s therapist brought the matter to police attention after the victim told her about the relationship.
The warrant states that Harris first established contact with the victim in 2019 via Instagram, where he began a conversation in which he “gradually (introduced) sexual references and suggestions.” A police review of those messages found that Harris had had sexual contact with the victim several times prior to her 16th birthday, including at least one incident which the victim described as non-consensual.
The warrant states that, over a period of about a year, Harris met with the victim several times and sent messages instructing her not to tell anyone about the relationship, because he could face jail time if anyone found out. Harris also frequently threatened “to harm or kill himself during arguments,” the police review of his messages found.
Harris was charged with one count of risk of injury to a minor, a felony. The crime is punishable by up to ten years in jail.
However, under the plea deal, Harris will not see jail time.
Instead, Harris agreed to five years of probation, as well as a protective order keeping him away from the victim for 50 years. He will also be registered as a sex offender for ten years, and he will not be allowed to use Instagram for the same duration.
Judge Kevin S. Russo said he was only comfortable with the plea deal because it meant the victim wouldn’t be forced to testify publicly before the court.
“I think it’s a jail case,” Russo said before handing down the verdict. “I think a period of incarceration would be warranted with these facts.”
However, he went on to say that the victim’s recovery was more important than any prison time the court could enforce.
“I don’t think it would be either logical or reformative to have her take the stand and testify in front of strangers about these facts,” Judge Russo said. “I think that’s more important than a period of incarceration is.”
Judge Russo also quoted Instagram messages Harris had sent the victim, including one in which he told the victim to “grow up a little.” Judge Russo referenced Harris’ own age at the time he sent that message before admonishing him.
“You’re on Instagram, telling a 16-year-old she needs to grow up? This is where you’re trolling for dates?” Judge Russo asked.
A statement from the victim was read before the court by a victim’s services advocate.
“I never wanted any of it to go this far, because I’m the type of person who’s strong enough to stick up for myself,” the victim’s statement read. “But as time went on, I realized that, if I didn’t do anything, he could do this to another young girl.”
Harris was represented in court by a public defender.
