Wicomico County, MD - On May 12, 2023, the Honorable Karen M. Dean, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, sentenced Francisco Barrales-Aguirre, age 29, to Ninety-Eight (98) years of incarceration.Barrales-Aguirre was convicted on November 4, 2022, following a four-day jury trial in the Wicomico County Circuit Court. Barrales-Aguirre was found guilty of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, three counts of Attempted Second Degree Rape, and related offenses.If Barrales-Aguirre is ever released from prison, he will be subject to lifetime supervision by the Department of Parole and Probation and will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.In April 2021, the victim reported sexual abuse at the hands of Francisco Barrales-Aguirre, who resided in the same household. The sexual abuse began in December 2020 and continued through April 2021. The victim was under the age of ten (10).Wicomico County State's Attorney (SA) Jamie Dykes said "The work of those that investigate and prosecute sexual crimes perpetrated against children is of paramount importance. The multi-disciplinary approach of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) strengthens investigations which results in justice for survivors and the community. The just sentence imposed in this case is a reflection of our community's unyielding response to sexual predators who seek to harm our most vulnerable."SA Dykes commended Sergeant T. Funk of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, the Child Protective Services Worker, and other members of the CAC for their work in the investigation.SA Dykes also commended former Senior Assistant State's Attorney Diane Karsnitz and Assistant State's Attorney Michael Calabrese who prosecuted the case.© Eastern Shore Undercover LLC TM/SM. All Rights Reserved.