West Hartford Man Charged with Attempted Sexual Assault of Minor

John Meronek of West Hartford was charged Wednesday with attempted sexual assault of a minor and other crimes, following an investigation by the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit.

Meronek, 50, of 45 Oakwood Ave., Apt. 1, West Hartford, was arrested after an investigation concluded that Meronek had arranged a meeting for sexual assault on a minor female, police said Thursday in a release.

State Police troopers were assisted by West Hartford Police at the meeting site arranged by Meronek on the computer, and he was taken into custody without incident, police said.

State police report that they obtained a search and seizure warrant for Meronek's Oakwood Ave. apartment, in response to an investigation regarding the enticement of children via the suspect's online accounts. Various electronic items were seized and will be examined for evidence, police said.

Meronek has been charged with 2nd degree criminal attempt at sexual assault, criminal attempt at impairing the morals of a minor, and criminal attempt at enticement of a minor.

Meronek is being held on $50,000 cash/surety bond, and was scheduled to appear today at Hartford Superior Court.