STAMFORD, Conn. — Kevin Epps, 48, of Norwalk, was arraigned Thursday in Stamford Superior Court after his arrest in a new domestic violence case, nearly two decades after he was convicted of a violent attack that left his fiancée disfigured.
Darien police arrested Epps on Wednesday following an incident at a residence on the Post Road. Authorities said only that it was a domestic violence case. Epps was taken into custody in Norwalk and charged with first-degree strangulation, second-degree strangulation, second-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree threatening, and disorderly conduct. His bond was initially set at $2 million.
“A very dangerous individual in the state’s view,” Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning told the court. “The victim in this case is very fearful of the defendant and validly so based on the allegations contained in the report.”
Manning added that Epps was charged as a persistent serious felony offender due to a 2004 attack in Stamford’s Rosa Hartman Park. “The defendant kidnapped his romantic partner and lit her and the van on fire,” Manning stated.
Epps, who was living in Stamford at the time, was convicted in 2005 of assault and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 35 years. The state Supreme Court later overturned the kidnapping conviction in 2018. Epps pleaded guilty in 2023 and was released that year.
Assistant Public Defender Albert Unger said, “Mr. Epps strongly denies the strangulation allegations. He lives in Norwalk with his aunt, Your Honor, and is self employed as a truck driver.”
Judge Alex Hernandez raised Epps’ bond to $3 million and issued a protective order. Epps is due back in court April 25.
