UPDATED: Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted on Rape & 28 Additional Charges
UPDATED – 12/09/24 – A five day trial for a former Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy ended with a conviction on 29 counts – including 1st degree rape and unlawful sexual conduct by a law enforcement officer. Sentencing for 32 year old Steven Abreu has been deferred for the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report and psychological evaluation. Abreu will remain at the Wicomico County Detention Center pending sentencing. Court record show that in October of 2022 a woman reported Abreu detained her in a parking lot and sexually assaulted her. Investigation revealed additional crimes.
Additional information from Wicomico County State’s Attorney:
Abreu’s crimes came to light in October of 2022, when a woman reported that Abreu had detained her in a parking lot and sexually assaulted her. Investigation revealed additional crimes – in one case, Abreu offered a ride to a woman in his patrol vehicle before sexually assaulting her, and in another, he returned to the home of a woman he had interacted with during a call for service earlier that day and, under the guise of providing her with a victim information pamphlet, sexually assaulted her. A fourth woman was stopped by Abreu while driving home, but was able to escape when a neighbor approached and asked if everything was okay.
State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes said “Steven Abreu used his position as a law enforcement officer to isolate and sexually violate women while he was on duty. His crimes are an unconscionable betrayal of the public trust, and a violation of the right of every person to feel safe when they interact with a law enforcement officer. Abreu leveraged his position of power to gain control over these women to commit these heinous crimes and to keep them quiet. We are grateful to the jury for its careful consideration of the evidence in this case and for its verdict, one that recognizes the scope and horror of Abreu’s criminal conduct.”
State’s Attorney Dykes commended Corporal C. Kirkpatrick of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for her diligent work leading the investigation into Mr. Abreu’s crimes, as well as Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Patrick Gilbert and Lauren Bourdon, who prosecuted the case and advocated for justice. State’s Attorney Dykes also expressed her gratitude to the victims for their courage and strength in coming forward to bring Abreu to justice.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 11/30/22 – The Grand Jury for Wicomico County has indicted a man who has served as a Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy. Steven Victor Abreu is accused of using his position to sexually assault women while on duty. The fifty-count indictment includes nine counts of rape in the first degree and fourteen counts of misconduct in office. Authorities have charged Abreu with committing the criminal offenses against five separate victims in the months of September and October. As the investigation continues, law enforcement believes there may have been more victims. If you believe you may have been a victim or have information on this case, contact Detective Christine Kirkpatrick of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at (410) 548-4898.
Note: An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.