Former Wicomico Co. Sheriff’s Deputy sentenced to life for rape, misconduct in office
SALISBURY, Md. – A former Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy convicted of rape and misconduct in office has been sentenced by a Wicomico County judge.
33-year-old Steven Abreu was convicted late last year of first and second degree rape, third and fourth degree sexual offense, misconduct in office, false imprisonment, and unlawful sexual conduct by a law enforcement officer. He was sentenced on Thursday to life plus 30 years in prison.
In October 2022, a woman reported that Abreu had detained her in a parking lot and sexually assaulted her. Further investigation revealed additional crimes; in one case, Abreu offered a ride to a woman in his patrol car 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 reportedly stopped by Abreu while she was driving home, but was able to escape when a neighbor approached and asked if everything was okay.
Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis released a statement regarding Abreu’s sentencing, saying in part, “Let me be absolutely clear: the actions of this deputy were abhorrent, reprehensible, and a complete betrayal of the oath we take to serve and protect. The moment we became aware of the allegations, we acted immediately – suspending the deputy, launching both internal and criminal investigations while ensuring that the deputy was removed from duty and held accountable through the proper legal channels. Within hours, he was arrested and charged accordingly by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office detectives before being held without bond in the Wicomico County Detention Center, where he remained until trial.”
He added, “No badge, no uniform, no position of authority gives anyone the right to harm others. Our patches may differ, but our mission remains the same – to serve and protect our fellow man.”
