'Dateline NBC': Where is John Regan now? The man who fled for 11 years after sexually assaulting Donna Palomba
WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT: John Regan is currently incarcerated at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County, with a release date originally set for October 2022 as indicated on the state Department of Corrections website. There's a possibility he may be released in 2022. Regan has been convicted of various crimes, including kidnapping and assaulting multiple women since 1993. However, he gained notoriety after raping Donna Palomba at her residence in the absence of her husband.
Palomba vividly recalled the harrowing events of the attack that occurred on September 11, 1993, a date that has instilled terror in her for an extended period. During this traumatic incident, the masked intruder later identified as Regan entered her home in the early morning when her two children were sleeping and raped her.
NBC's true crime program 'Dateline' will feature a special report on this case on Sunday, February 11 at 9 p.m. ET in the episode titled, "Evil Paid a Visit." The offical synopsis reads, "A Connecticut woman speaks out about her years-long journey for justice after being raped in her own home and the fight to keep her assailant from walking free." The episode, led by Andrea Canning, includes interviews with Donna Palomba and John Palomba, former Waterbury Detective Neil O’Leary, family members, and others.
Who was John Regan?
John, a devoted husband and father of three sons, hailed from a respected household in Waterbury, Connecticut. His reputation for hard work and amiability took a dark turn in 2004 when a co-worker accused him of attempted sexual assault.
This accusation marked the beginning of John's descent into infamy, shedding light not only on the 2004 case but also revealing his involvement in the 1993 assault of Donna Palomba. In that harrowing incident, John forcibly entered Donna's home, subjected her to physical and sexual assault, and stole her money before swiftly departing. Arrested and charged with illegal restraint in connection to the 2004 case, John willingly provided a DNA sample. The subsequent test conclusively linked him to Donna's case, confirming his culpability through a perfect match with the collected evidence.
How did John Regan assault Donna Palomba?
On the night of September 10, 1993, Donna lay fast asleep on her stomach, unaware of the impending terror. A long day at work, a hospital visit, and a family outing had left her exhausted, and by 10:00 pm, Donna and her children were in deep slumber. Little did she know that her peaceful night would be abruptly shattered.
As Donna lay in bed, she turned her head and sensed an ominous presence. In an instant, a masked intruder, later identified as Regan, moved swiftly and silently, pouncing on her. The footsteps approached, and a shadowy figure loomed over her. Regan, masked, launched the attack, catching Donna off guard. He subdued her, covered her head with a pillowcase, blindfolded her, and bound her hands with pantyhose. In the darkness, she could only feel the ominous presence and hear the intruder's actions until she realized the impending danger unfolding before her.
"I was absolutely terrified. It was surreal. I couldn’t believe I was in the middle of this. He cut my clothing and he raped me I was fortunate enough that I could speak and I said “I will never tell a soul. Please don’t hurt me.” So I begged for my life," shared Palomba with NBC, adding how she was fortunate that Regan left soon after collecting all the cash without further harming her.
How was John Regan found guilty?
After the traumatic assault on Donna Palomba in 1993, John Regan managed to evade justice, fleeing the scene without leaving sufficient evidence for authorities to apprehend him. However, in 2004, karma caught up with him when a 21-year-old coworker accused him of sexual assault. This accusation led to John's arrest and subsequent charges of illegal restraint in connection to the summer season case.
When confronted with the allegations, John voluntarily provided a DNA sample. To the investigators' astonishment, the DNA pattern turned out to be a perfect match to the evidence collected from Donna Palomba's case in 1993. This crucial development marked a turning point, finally connecting John Regan to the heinous crime against Donna. The match between the DNA samples became a key piece of evidence, paving the way for justice to be served in Donna Palomba's harrowing ordeal.
What other crimes was John Regan convicted for?
In October 2004, John Regan faced another indictment, this time on a charge of kidnapping. The statute of limitations for the rape charge had expired six years prior, leading to the indictment on the new count. In response, John pleaded not guilty to both counts, asserting that he and Donna engaged in consensual intercourse in 1993. Despite his plea, he was granted bail shortly after the indictment. However, this freedom came with restraining orders issued against him, safeguarding Donna and his co-worker.
Unfortunately, the legal saga continued as John found himself in trouble once again. A year later, in Saratoga Springs, New York, he was arrested for ambushing and attacking a high school senior. This subsequent arrest added to the trail of criminal accusations surrounding John Regan, indicating a pattern of disturbing behavior and raising concerns about public safety over the years.
What sentence was announced to John Regan?
Despite compelling evidence linking Regan to the attacks on Palomba and the 2004 incident, he entered a not-guilty plea and secured release on a $350,000 bail. Following a subsequent arrest, Regan was held without bail, and during pre-trial detention, he attempted suicide without success.
Eventually, he changed his plea to guilty for kidnapping and received concurrent sentences of 12 years in New York and 15 years in Connecticut. These sentences were served concurrently in a New York prison. Regan's release in 2017, based on good behavior, brought renewed distress to his victims, but later he was sent to Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Franklin County, with a release date set for October 2022.
