Norwich Pastor Enters Not Guilty Plea in Sex Assault Case

By Greg Smith
Norwich Bulletin
May 14, 2012

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/carousel/x1367609009/Norwich-pastor-enters-not-guilty-plea-in-sex-assault-case#axzz1v1aCSG2o

Luckner Sylvain

New London, Conn. — A former pastor at a Haitian church in Norwich pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl.

Luckner Sylvain, 49, appeared in New London Superior Court Monday on charges of first-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He is represented by Norwich attorney Paul Chinigo. The case was continued to May 30.

Norwich police allege Sylvain, a former pastor at First Haitian Baptist Church, sexually assaulted the girl multiple times in 2006 and 2007. The church's pastor said Sylvain left the church in 2008.

Police say Sylvain fled to Haiti in December but was captured and returned to Connecticut in April. He remains in prison on $200,000 bail.