A former swim instructor from Deerfield Beach has been found guilty of molesting three young girls while he was teaching them at the Deerfield Beach Aquatics Center in 2015.
Francisco de Aragon, 28, was handcuffed by authorities after he was found guilty on the first count of capital sexual battery on a child. The man was eventually found guilty on all five counts leveled against him.
Earlier this week, each of the girls, who were 6 years old at the time, testified that de Aragon groped them under their swimsuits during the lesson.
But de Aragon took the witness stand Thursday telling the jury he was innocent of all charges.
De Aragon told the jury that he has been in aquatics all his life and has been a competitive swimmer, a lifeguard and water safety instructor.
He testified it was possible there was “accidental contact” with the three girls and implied they misinterpreted his actions when he was teaching them how to float in the water.
De Argon will now face life in prison without parole.
Before the the trial, de Aragon turned down a plea deal that would have landed him 25 years in prison.