A former deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, 33-year-old Steven Victor Abreu, has received a life sentence for sexual offenses committed during his time in service. The Honorable S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, sentenced Abreu to life in prison, plus an additional thirty years, following several convictions for first and second-degree rape, sexual offenses in the third and fourth degrees, misconduct in office, false imprisonment, and unlawful sexual conduct as a law enforcement officer. Abreu was found guilty by a jury after a five-day trial in December 2024. His actions came to light in October 2022 when a woman reported being detained and assaulted by him while he was in uniform.
Steven Victor Abreu
Details from the Office of the State’s Attorney for Wicomico County
The investigation uncovered further offenses—one incident involved Abreu offering a ride to a woman in his patrol car before sexually assaulting her. In another case, he returned to a woman’s home after previously responding to a call there and, under the pretense of providing victim information, assaulted her. Additionally, a fourth woman was stopped by Abreu while driving home but managed to evade him when a nearby neighbor intervened.
State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes stated, “Steven Abreu exploited his role as a law enforcement officer to target and assault women while on duty. He violated his oath and betrayed his duty to the community and those who serve alongside him. The sentence handed down today reflects the gravity of Abreu’s actions and their lasting impact on our County, particularly on his victims.”
State’s Attorney Dykes praised Corporal Christine Kirkpatrick of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for her thorough investigation into Abreu’s crimes, as well as Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Patrick Gilbert and Lauren Bourdon for their prosecution of the case. She also expressed her appreciation for the victims’ bravery in coming forward and assisting investigators in holding Abreu accountable.
