Local News
FORT PLAIN : Businessman charged with sexual assault
BY JOHN ENGER Gazette Reporter
The owner of Daylight Donuts and operator of Old Fort Shopping Plaza in Fort Plain was arrested on charges of sexual assault Saturday night, police said.
Police said Dennis J. Todd, 62, of 24 Willet St. is facing charges of first-degree criminal sexual act in connection to his alleged contact with a 13-year-old boy.
He is also charged with physically assaulting one of the boy’s adult family members.
According to village Police Chief Robert Thomas, one of the alleged victim’s family members visited Todd’s residence on Thursday morning at about 9 a.m., at which time Todd hit the man in the head with a blunt object.
The man was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital and treated for head trauma. In the course of the police investigation, Todd’s alleged activities came to light.
Todd was brought in Thursday night, interviewed and released while the case was built against him.
“We believe there is only one victim,” Thomas said, “but we’re asking anyone who may have been affected to come forward.”
Todd is currently in the county correctional facility on $200,000 bail.
According to the Department of State corporation and business database, Todd operates the Old Fort Shopping Plaza on River Street, which houses the village’s grocery store, a recently established Save-A-Lot and a Family Dollar store. He also owns Daylight Donuts, which is new to the village.
The investigation is still under way and those with information are asked to contact the Fort Plain Village Police Department at 993-3781.