Helbert Barahona-Gonzalez, 44, of Lexington Park
Helbert Barahona-Gonzalez, 44, of Lexington Park, has been charged in St. Mary’s County District Court with 19 offenses, including second-degree rape of a child under 14, sexual abuse of a minor, a continuing-course child sexual abuse charge, third-degree sex offense involving a child under 14, fourth-degree sex offense, and other charges, according to court records.
The charges stem from events reported on June 2, 2026, in Lexington Park, according to charging documents. Court records identify the victim as a 13-year-old female.
According to the statement of probable cause filed by Deputy R. Stillwell of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were advised on June 3, 2026, of an ongoing investigation involving the minor victim. The documents state that the victim reportedly sent an email around 6:57 p.m. on June 2, 2026, and that deputies later attempted contact as part of the investigation.
The probable cause statement says investigators conducted recorded phone calls involving Barahona-Gonzalez. During one call, according to the document, Barahona-Gonzalez was confronted about the alleged incidents. The document states that Barahona-Gonzalez said the victim “would” and “couldn’t do anything,” and also said, “I have this sickness.” The filing further states that Barahona-Gonzalez asked that charges not be pressed.
At an initial appearance held June 4, 2026, Barahona-Gonzalez was represented remotely by court-appointed attorney Ada Chan. The State’s Attorney’s Office also appeared by telecommunication, with Caroline Grammas listed in the initial appearance report. The court found Barahona-Gonzalez eligible for court-appointed representation and noted that he requested a preliminary hearing.
A court commissioner ordered Barahona-Gonzalez held without bond, finding a reasonable likelihood that he posed a danger to the alleged victim, another person, or the community. Court records ordered him not to intimidate, contact, or harass the victim directly or indirectly. A separate commitment pending hearing order directed the St. Mary’s County Detention Center to hold him without bail under those conditions.
