Laurel Police Arrest Suspect in Juvenile Sexual Assault Investigation

Laurel, DE - The Laurel Police Department has arrested a suspect following an investigation into a reported sexual assault involving a minor. On December 28, 2025, the Laurel Criminal Investigation Unit responded to TidalHealth Hospital regarding a 7-year-old female victim.

Detectives subsequently determined that the assault occurred at the victim's residence.

Investigators identified the suspect as Ricardo Desir, 40, of Haiti. An arrest warrant was approved on January 16, 2026.

Officers from the Laurel Police Department responded to Desir's home to execute the warrant. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the police department.

Desir has been charged with Rape in the Second Degree. This offense is classified as a Class B Felony as the victim is less than 12 years of age.

He was arraigned on the charge and issued a $60,000.00 cash-only bail. Authorities subsequently transported him to the Sussex Correctional Institution.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Laurel Police Department at 302-875-2244. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.