Accused child rapist found dead in Washington County Jail

A Washington County man who was accused of repeatedly raping a child under the age of 13 was found dead in his cell at Washington County Jail Thursday morning, sources tell NewsChannel 13.

Nickalas Connor, 32, was arrested back in October and charged with two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child – the state’s most serious sexual assault charge. It carried a sentence of 25 years to life. Police said he knew the child.

He also was facing a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals after police said he shot a dog on his property.

Connor’s arrest followed a large police response. He had barricaded himself in his house in the town of Jackson, when investigators from the Cambridge-Greenwich Polie Department arrived to arrest him. He eventually surrendered.

Police have not released additional information about the death.