MEMPHIS, TN — A Shelby County jury has found a local man guilty on all counts following an emotional trial detailing the prolonged, multi-year sexual abuse of his young stepdaughter.
Following five hours of careful deliberation on Friday, June 26, 2026, the jury returned a verdict of “Guilty as Charged” against Luis Espino. He was convicted on three counts of Aggravated Rape of a Child and six counts of Rape of a Child.
Prolonged Abuse and Victim Disclosure
The state’s evidence presented during the trial demonstrated a horrific and continuous pattern of abuse. Prosecutors proved that Espino began sexually assaulting his stepdaughter when she was a young child, exploiting his position of trust within the household to perpetuate the abuse over a span of several years.
The cycle of assault finally ended when the victim, showing immense resilience, disclosed the trauma to outside individuals. Her disclosure triggered an immediate, intensive investigation by local law enforcement and child protective units, culminating in formal criminal indictments.
Prosecutors Secure Full Conviction
The trial was handled by Assistant District Attorneys William Wetter and Annika Rush. Over the course of the proceedings, the prosecution team systematically presented forensic evidence and testimony to the jury pool. Espino’s defense crumbled under the weight of the victim’s testimony, leading to the sweeping multi-count conviction.
Following the reading of the verdict, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy released a statement commending the prosecution team and praising the survivor’s willingness to face her abuser in a court of law.
“Cases involving the sexual abuse of children are among the most difficult and heartbreaking that prosecutors handle,” District Attorney Mulroy said. “We are grateful to the victim for her courage in coming forward and sharing her story. This verdict holds the defendant accountable and helps ensure he can no longer harm children.”
Espino was immediately remanded into the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office without bond. He remains held at the local detention facility pending a formal sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled at a later date before a Shelby County Criminal Court Judge. Because of the “Aggravated” nature of the child rape convictions, Espino faces a mandatory, lengthy term of imprisonment within the Tennessee Department of Correction.
