Man paid women to manipulate, listen to their abdomens, and record them in fake medical study, police say

(As originally published, Fri, November 17th 2023, 4:26 PM EST)

DANBURY, Conn. (TND) — Police in Connecticut are looking for women who unknowingly took part in a fake medical study, despite getting paid in cash.

Brian Casella, 35, turned himself in to state police in Danbury, earlier Friday.

“Casella is alleged to have solicited female victims for a fake medical study,” they said.

“Casella would use various instruments as well as his own hands and ears to manipulate and listen to their abdomens.

“During these sessions, Casella would record and photograph the female victims, and following the sessions, he would compensate them with cash payments.”

The money supposedly came from the company conducting the study, and the alleged scheme ended when investigators said they found a hard drive containing several recordings and photographs of unidentified female victims.

Casella is charged with 4th-degree sexual assault and he was already released in lieu of $10,000 bond, but police are asking women who recognize Casella and feel they were victims to call Det. Barbero at 860-904-0493.

Police say all calls will remain confidential.