John Gagnon, psychotherapist with bizarre criminal history, arraigned; no plea entered

June 17, 2010

A Connecticut psychotherapist charged with possessing firearms while being a convicted felon -- a status he achieved with a bizarre and long criminal record -- was arraigned in state Superior Court on Wednesday.

John Gagnon, 63, of Oaklawn Avenue, was arrested last month when a probation officer visited his home and found two replica antique pistols. His arrest warrant said the weapons were .44-caliber pistols. He was on probation from a 2008 marijuana possession charge.

Gagnon was released from custody after posting $100,000 bond. On Wednesday, his attorney said there are questions whether the antique pistols were working firearms under state law.

In 1987, Gagnon was arrested for wearing a silver badge and driving a car that appeared to be an unmarked police car outfitted with a red flashing light.

He pulled a woman over with an expired temporary registration in Brookfield and told her he would let her go if she would have sex with him, according to the appellate court decision that upheld his convictions. Gagnon then grabbed the woman's breasts, the documents said. The woman put her car in gear and sped off.

Gagnon was convicted of criminal impersonation and third-degree sexual assault. As a result of the felony conviction, he has a lifetime listing on the state's Sex Offender Registry.

Also, in 2004, a patient made a police complaint about Gagnon wearing a general's uniform while giving therapy. Gagnon, who was not in the Army, was charged with unauthorized use of a uniform and, a year later, pleaded no contest to the charge.

In court on Wednesday, Gagnon's case was continued to July 23. He did not enter a plea.

Source: Jeff Morgansteen, "Psychotherapist arraigned on firearms charge," Stamford Advocate, June 16, 2010.