A jury has found Joseph Marc Thomas Duenas Castro, Jr. guilty of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. Castro forced the minor to touch his body and sexually touched her on multiple occasions. The victim testified she was initially scared to tell anyone about the abuse because she had seen Castro assault members of her family in the past, but eventually told her mother and father.

Chief prosecutor J. Basil O’mallan III said, “I commend the victim for having the strength to take the stand and confront the defendant. I also want to thank the Guam Police officers for doing a good job with their investigation. And, of course, I thank the jury for their verdict.”

Castro was convicted of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct as a 1st degree felony and three counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct as a 1st degree felony. He faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars and must self-surrender at his sentencing hearing.

Castro must also register as a level I sex offender on the Guam Sex Offender Registry after serving his prison sentence.

Sentencing is slated for October 27.