In December of 2019 the Newport Police Department was alerted to a reported rape and sexual abuse of an 11-year-old. An investigation was conducted and the victim was able to identify the suspect as 19-year-old Caleb Colgan of Newport. Colgan was interviewed at his residence in Newport on December 10th and confirmed that the sexual assault occurred. Colgan was arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
On February 12th a jury found Mr. Colgan guilty on 10-counts including three counts of Sexual abuse in the first degree, two counts of strangulation, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree and one count of rape in the first degree. Judge Thomas Branford presided over the trial. District Attorney Lanee Danforth represented the State in this case and Defense Attorney Susan Reese represented the defendant. Sentencing will be held on March 4th
