SALISBURY, Md. – A Wicomico County District Court jury has found former Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Abreu guilty of 29 counts, including first-degree rape, sexual offenses and misconduct in office. Abreu was found not guilty on five charges, including second-degree rape and sexual offenses.

Prosecutors accused Abreu of using his authority as a deputy sexual assault three women in 2022. On Start of the process This week, Abreu was indicted on 43 counts, including fourteen counts of rape and thirteen counts of official misconduct.

As of Friday, December 6, after a five-day trial, the charges had been reduced to 36, including one count of first-degree rape, five counts of second-degree rape, one count of second-degree assault and twelve counts of misconduct in office.

Abreu took the stand his own defense On Thursday, his lawyer argued that the encounters with the women were all consensual.

On Friday evening, after deliberating for more than eight hours, the jury finally came to the following verdict:

GUILTY:
1 count of first degree rape
3 counts of second degree rape
2 counts of third degree sexual offenses
4 counts of fourth degree sexual offenses
3 counts of unlawful sexual conduct by a police officer
4 cases of deprivation of liberty
12 cases of misconduct in office

NOT GUILTY:
2 counts of second degree rape
2 counts of fourth degree sexual offenses
1 count of second degree assault

Four of the charges on which Abreu was found not guilty relate to sexual encounters with one of the three victims. The jury concluded that Abreu’s first sexual encounter with this victim was rape, but his subsequent encounters with her were consensual.

Abreu’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled, pending a sentencing investigation and mental health evaluation.

On Monday, December 8, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis issued a statement on Abreu’s sentencing, calling him a “rogue deputy.”

“After attending the trial and listening to compelling testimony from at least one of the victims and two of our investigators, I felt sick,” Lewis wrote. “Despite a full pre-employment psychological evaluation, twenty-six (26) weeks of intake training at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, ten (10) weeks of mandatory field training, and no prior inclination or signs that would have suggested a background as investigators or detectives, Abreus Recognizing a predatory nature, he was released to patrol on his own. A thorough investigation by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Abreu was pursuing him within days. I couldn’t be prouder of the quick actions of the command staff, patrol staff and criminal investigators in apprehending Abreu.

You can read Sheriff Lewis’ full statement here.