Jury convicts man of attempted rape, sex abuse of a minor

SALISBURY, Md. – A Wicomico County jury has convicted a man of attempted rape and sex abuse of a minor.

Following a four-day jury trial, 29-year-old Francisco Barrales-Aguirre was convicted of sex abuse of a minor, three counts of attempted second degree rape, and other related offenses.

The charges stem from an investigation that began in April 2021, when the victim reported sexual abuse at the hands of Barrales-Aguirre, which reportedly began in December 2020 and continued through April 2021. The victim is under the age of 10.

Sentencing was deferred pending completion of a pre-sentence investigation and mental health evaluation. Barrales-Aguirre will remain in custody pending sentencing.