[Updated] West Hartford Police report that a DirecTV subcontractor was charged Wednesday with assaulting a customer.

Rashford Gordon. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Police

By Ronni Newton

A man who was admitted to a home on Hillcrest Avenue in West Hartford on Wednesday to install equipment on behalf of DirecTV has been charged by West Hartford Police with rape.

Rashford Gordon, 38, of Bloomfield, was working as a subcontractor for DirecTV when he went to the Hillcrest Avenue home to install equipment, police said. Police said that according to their investigation, the victim had a scheduled appointment with DirecTV to have the equipment installed.

According to police, “The victim stated that the installer made advances and eventually sexually assaulted [her].”

West Hartford Police Lt. Ted Stoneburner said that Gordon arrived at the victim’s residence before 10 a.m. Wednesday for what was scheduled to be a lengthy installation due to the need to shovel snow and run wires up the side of the building.

Police said that after Gordon left, the victim called her sister and her sister notified police of the incident at 1:23 p.m. Wednesday.

Police were able to quickly locate Gordon at his next installation appointment in Hartford. His employer was also notified, police said.

Gordon was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlawful restraint. He is being held on $750,000 bond after his arraignment in court on Thursday.

The victim was transported to Hartford Hospital.

“We have no previous record of anything like this happening in West Hartford,” Stoneburner said.

“Our concern is for the safety of our citizens,” Stoneburner said. He recommends that two people be at the house when contractors are going to be there. “If you can’t do that, and something doesn’t feel right, call  us and we will come right out to your house,” he said.

According to Stoneburner, the alleged assailant has a history of charges with Hartford Police dating back to 2010, but no convictions. Those charges include breach of peace (2010) and criminal mischief (2013 and 2014). He has also been arrested twice on charges of disorderly conduct and threatening, and currently has two protective orders against him, Stoneburner said.

Stoneburner said that Gordon’s direct supervisor reported that he has had “no problems” with Gordon.

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