CT- Former school band assistant charged with violating probation

11-26-2008 Connecticut:

NORWALK - A former Brien McMahon High School band assistant, on probation since June after being convicted of having sex with a 16-year-old student in 2005, has been arrested on charges of violating probation.

Aaron Sumpter, 26, of 45 Baxter Drive, Norwalk, was arrested Monday by the probation department for allegedly consuming alcohol and cocaine, and not participating enough in his sex-offender treatment.

He was released on $12,500 bond and was due in court for arraignment on two violation of probation charges Monday.

After pleading guilty to fourth-degree sexual assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and driving while under the influence, Sumpter was given a suspended two-year prison sentence and three years of probation by Judge Burton Kaplan at state Superior Court in Norwalk on June 11.

Sumpter was charged with second-degree sexual assault on Feb. 23, 2006, after a police investigation determined he had a consensual sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female band member in late 2005. Sumpter was 23 at the time.

In an unusual plea agreement, Sumpter spent 35 days in jail before his sentencing in June.

If it is determined that he violated his probation, Sumpter could serve all or part of his suspended two-year sentence.

As part of probation, he was to participate in and complete sex offender evaluation and treatment and abstain from alcohol and drugs, his arrest warrant affidavit stated.

But last month, three of Sumpter's urine samples tested positive for cocaine and another in September tested positive for alcohol, the affidavit stated. During his Oct. 21 group sex offender class, Sumpter admitted to using cocaine.

On Oct. 21, he was warned by his probation officer that his probation was in violation status and any further non-compliance would result in a violation.

A third urine sample, taken that day, came back positive for cocaine, the affidavit said.

On Oct. 28, Sumpter was kicked out of the sex-offender treatment program for failure to keep a daily journal, and as a result, was not "effectively engaging in treatment," the warrant said. He also was cited for not providing his probation officer with a log showing all of the Internet sites he visited.

Sumpter's attorney, William Westcott, could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. ..News Source.. by John Nickerson, Staff Writer