Jury Selection Begins in Polk County Sheriff’s Trial

Jury selection ground along Friday in the trial of Chris Abril. Abril is charged with five counts of first degree statutory rape and one count of first degree sexual assault.

Abril, who was elected Sheriff in Polk County after being charged in 2006, is accused of assaulting girls who were 10- and 12-years-old at the time of the incident.

The judge in the case said he expects jury selection to run through at least next Wednesday, possibly longer. They don’t anticipate a start to the actual trial until Aug. 11.

Abril was arrested in 2006 and charged with 5 counts of first degree statutory rape along with one count of first degree sexual offense. The alleged assaults involved girls who were 10 and 12-year old at the time. Despite the charges, Abril won election in November of 2006. If convicted, Abril would have to resign.