DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – After a former Deerfield Beach swimming instructor was found guilty of sexually assaulting three 6-year-old girls during class, his family still believed in his innocence on Friday.
Francisco De Aragon II was working at the Deerfield Beach Aquatic Center when he was accused of slipping his hand beneath the girls' bathing suit bottom in 2015. The girls testified in court.
Savannah Albury, his wife, said she just can't believe her husband did what the girls said he did.
"He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve this at all," Albury said.
His father, Frank De Aragon, also believes in his innocence. He said he doubts, because his son had plenty of opportunities to do that during other jobs where he was exposed to children.
"Perhaps the children felt something, but it wasn't what they are saying it was," his father said.
De Aragon worked at the Boca West Country Club, at Obridge Academy in West Palm Beach and as a life guard in South Carolina.
Albury said Aragon, who rejected a 25-year plea deal and testified in court, was planning to appeal the verdict. His conviction of sexual battery on a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation on a minor now comes with a mandatory life sentence.