Man Accused of Exposing Himself on Middletown Bus Has Lengthy Record

Editor's Note: Check back with Middletown Patch later today for coverage of Sen. Len Suzio's press conference this afternoon at Middletown Police headquarters.

An examination of court records reveals the convicted sex offender arrested this week for fondling himself on a city bus in front of a 14-year-old girl is a multiple felon with 28 convictions, including some violent crimes.

Joseph Y. Mabery, 49, of Middletown served eight years after raping a Wesleyan student at knifepoint in her dorm in 1989.

According to the state Judicial Branch's website, his record includes convictions from as far back as March 2004 to the present for crimes ranging from probation and traffic violations to burglary, indecent exposure and patronizing a prostitute.

Michelle Cruz, the state’s victim advocate, told Middletown Patch Friday Mabery had received “good time” credits and had been released June 15 of this year from prison. She was uncertain of the exact number of days off his sentence Mabery earned.

The new inmate early release program, formally called the Risk Reduction Earned Credit Program, became law in July 2011. It allows Connecticut inmates, including those convicted of rape, kidnapping, child molestation, and other violent crimes, to have their court-ordered prison sentences reduced by up to five days per month for every month they are incarcerated. Provided inmates exhibit generally “good behavior” and attend basic re-entry classes, they can earn credits retroactive to April 1, 2006.

Sen. Len Suzio is urging the state suspend its controversial inmate early release program and will renew his call at a press conference Friday at 4 p.m. at Middletown Police.

In July 1998, Mabery, accused of trespassing into a Wesleyan University dormitory that April, was sent back to prison for eight years for violating probation, according to the Hartford Courant. Mabery was found wandering the hallways of the locked Malcom-X dorm three days after having a electronic bracelet removed. After meeting probation requirements, the Courant reported, including evening curfews, sex offender counseling and weekly checks with a probation officer, his every move was no longer monitored.

The state Judicial website shows Mabery was convicted many times, including:

• Second-degree threatening in March 2004
• Failure to register as sex offender in February 2005 and February 2006
• Burglary, larceny and probation violation in April 2005 and February 2006
• Patronizing a prostitute in September and November 2005
• Public indecency in October 2008
• Third-degree assault in June 2009
• Public indecency and probation violation in December 2009
• Assault of a public safety officer in May 2011

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