EX-COACH TO APPEAL 18-YEAR SENTENCE IN SEX CASE

Robert Ellis, a 53 year old convicted child molester and former softball coach of the  Connecticut Express independent traveling softball team, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Daniel Brennan Jr. to 30 years in prison, suspended after 18 served, and 35 years on probation.  He had faced up to 117 years in prison.  His attorney said he plans to appeal the 18 year sentence.  In February, a six-member jury found Ellis, of Valley Road, Shelton, guilty of sexually molesting and harassing four teen-age girls, including three who played on his softball team.  He was found guilty on 17 counts, including one count of attempted first-degree sexual assault, six counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree harassment.

(Bridgeport, Connecticut)