Royal City man charged with first-degree rape of a child

Oct. 25—ROYAL CITY — Sergio Leal Barragan was arrested Tuesday by Grant County detectives in connection with the sexual assault of two juveniles over an extended period of time. The 54-year-old Royal City man had his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Judge Tyson Hill found probable cause for first-degree rape of a child with aggravated breach of trust and first-degree child abuse with aggravated breach of trust, according to a release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

An aggravation of abuse of trust means that the suspect abuses a position of trust to facilitate the crime, and that he has gained access to the victim or to the scene of the crime thanks to the relationship of trust.

Hill set Barragan’s bail at $75,000 cash or surety. Barragan’s arraignment is scheduled for November 5.

At the time of the alleged assault, the victims were between seven and nine years old. Both victims knew Barragan before the attacks.

Barragan is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.