Judge Rules Farmington Man Guilty of Winding Trails Sex Assault Involving Minors

By Jessie Sawyer and Kaitlin McCallum

A Farmington man who police said sexually assaulted young girls in the shower area of a Winding Trails ladies restroom last July 2 pleaded "no contest" Wednesday at Hartford Superior Court, according to court records. 

Mark Tully, 57, faces charges of fourth-degree sexual assault, second-degree unlawful restraint and risk of injury to a child, which is a felony, according to the state judicial website.

Judge Joan Alexander ruled Tully guilty of all three charges, according to the Hartford Superior Court Criminal Clerk's Office.

The Essex Court resident made sexual remarks to a 7-year-old girl and two 13-year-old females in the shower area at one of the bathrooms at the family outdoor recreational area, police previously said.

After investigating, officers found that Tully had approached the girls in the outdoor shower area near the beach and cornered one of the 13-year-old girls. According to police, Tully backed the girl against a corner and touched her breasts. Officers said it looked as though Tully had tried to remove the girl's bathing suit. The girl was able to break free and run into the locker area with the two other girls and found older girls who walked with them past the man. They immediately reported the incident to parents and staff.

The Hartford Courant reported that State's Attorney Robin Krawczyk and Tully's attorney, Ron Murphy both said that Tully's blood alcohol content was more than 0.3 percent during the incident.

Tully's next scheduled court appearance is July 10 and he is awaiting sentencing.