Legislation passed by the State Senate on Tuesday is one step away from ensuring Delawareans are protected from unfair business practices by a statute as protective as the law in nearly every other state. House Bill 91, sponsored by Rep. David Bentz, D-Newark, and Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, amends Delaware’s Consumer Fraud Act to explicitly add unfair practices to the list of prohibited practices. […]

Months-long, multi-agency investigation results in 14 indictments for six murders and several shootings driving Wilmington violence Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that the Department of Justice has secured the indictment of 14 defendants on more than 120 criminal charges stemming from their involvement in the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. The indictment is the culmination of […]

A Superior Court has sentenced a New Castle woman to life in prison for the repeated abuse and murder of a child, and the abuse of four other children in her care at a daycare facility where she was employed. Dejoynay Ferguson pleaded guilty in April to Murder by Abuse First Degree, 6 counts of […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that a Pennsylvania man has been formally charged with 41 felonies, including the murders of two people and the attempted murder, assaults, and/or robbery of four other victims, among other offenses. Prosecutors allege that Keith Gibson, 39, went on a brutal crime spree in Delaware, killing two victims and […]

Prosecutors have secured the conviction of a Newport man in 2018 double murder committed near Prices Corner. Glenford Blackwood was found guilty of two counts of Murder First Degree after prosecutors showed that he had murdered Doris Dorsey, 15, and Vincent DiMenco, 36. Blackwood was also found guilty on two charges of Attempted Murder for […]

Police seek information on suspect Prosecutors have secured the indictment of Justin Michael Chaffier in a February 2021 killing. Chaffier, 35, is charged with Murder First Degree and Stalking following a New Castle County police investigation into the murder of Nicole Crawford. “Nobody should ever have to know the pain that the Crawford family is […]

Convictions secured after former DOC nurse was caught lying to investigators The Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has secured two misdemeanor convictions against a former employee of Connections, which at the time served as the Department of Correction’s (DOC) medical contractor. “Delawareans deserve integrity from every publicly paid […]

Corporal faces four charges, including felonies, after DSP notified DCRPT Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust has indicted a suspended State Trooper for orchestrating a fraudulent warning scheme that has victimized dozens of motorists, though the full scale of his misconduct is yet to be determined. Delaware State […]

Ex-officer receives felony conviction, permanently stripped of badge and gun Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Wednesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has convicted a former Dewey Beach police officer for assaulting an innocent, injured person and then lying to the Court to have the victim incarcerated. “Abuse of authority, brutality, and dishonesty […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released the following statement Thursday after the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust secured a jury conviction against a Dover man for two violent felonies.  Originally indicted in October 2020 after removing and pointing a handgun toward others during a counter-protest, Michael Hastings was convicted today of Reckless Endangering 1st […]

Lengthy DCRPT investigation yields five charges, including felonies Charges include orchestrating State contract with political consultant Indictment alleges McGuiness hired teenage daughter, paid her while enrolled in college   Following an investigation involving dozens of witness interviews, thousands of document reviews, and more than a year of work, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and the DOJ’s […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has convicted former Wilmington City Council President Theopalis Gregory for Official Misconduct. “This conviction affirms that our state will not tolerate abusing public office and enriching oneself at the taxpayers’ expense,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Delawareans deserve integrity and, […]

The Department of Justice has secured an indictment adding a new defendant in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. “Gun violence continues to devastate families in our state, and while the causes of that violence are legion we cannot address it without taking on gangs,” said Attorney General Jennings. “We believe that this group […]

The Department of Justice has secured a reindictment adding a new defendant, and several charges against existing defendants, in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. “This reindictment is yet another product of the amazing work that prosecutors and police are doing to take down NorthPak,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are not simple cases. […]

The Department of Justice has secured a reindictment adding a new defendant, and several charges against existing defendants, in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. “This reindictment is yet another product of the amazing work that prosecutors and police are doing to take down NorthPak,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are not simple cases. […]

z Convenience Market on Governor

Closing out Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined advocates, State and local partners, and prosecutors Monday to announce the formation of the Delaware Department of Justice’s first dedicated Human Trafficking Unit (HTU). “Human trafficking is among the direst human rights crises of this century,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Awareness has grown by orders of magnitude in recent years, […]

Defendant convicted of racist harassment of Governor’s employee The Attorney General’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust (DCRPT) secured a historic guilty verdict in a felony hate crimes case, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday. A New Castle County jury convicted Defendant Matthew Gregg of Hate Crimes, Harassment, and Terroristic Threatening, for repeatedly verbally […]

Defendant faces eight charges, including assault, misconduct, and multiple felonies Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that the DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) secured an indictment against a former Wilmington police officer for two excessive force cases that took place in September 2021, including one incident that came to DCRPT’s attention […]

Defendant banned from law enforcement, required to undergo treatment Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has reached a pre-indictment plea agreement with a former Dover police officer who experienced an opioid overdose in his patrol vehicle and later tested positive for fentanyl and marijuana. “This […]

Three illicit massage establishments (IMEs) were shut down in February, the first full month of operation for the DOJ’s first Human Trafficking Unit (HTU), Attorney General Jennings announced Thursday. “These investigations highlight a continuing pattern that we’ve seen time and time again: human trafficking often happens in plain sight,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These were […]

Defendant facing life in prison for repeatedly raping two juvenile victims, ages 8 and 14 After one week of trial, a Kent County jury convicted a Magnolia man of 77 felony offenses in connection with the serial sexual abuse of two juvenile children. Richard Haines, 59, faces a 462-year minimum mandatory sentence and will be required […]

Defendants face felony charges, including Perjury, for submitting fake documents The DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust has secured a guilty plea to Perjury, and two indictments on Perjury and Forgery charges, against three Delaware men who submitted forged documents in their applications to the Delaware Board of Pardons. “You can’t begin a second chance with […]

DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust indicted Monday a former Wilmington Police Department (WPD) after an investigation revealed that he sent lewd text messages to a 17-year-old whom he met while on duty. “The facts of this case are grave and disturbing,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The defendant in this case swore an […]

“It speaks volumes of our neighbors that so many Delawareans have taken action to help the Ukrainian people,” said Attorney General Jennings.  “Unfortunately, scammers are shameless and see a crisis as an opportunity. To protect yourself, and to ensure that your donations reach people in need, everyone should take steps to ensure that their contributions go to legitimate causes.  My office will do its part in ensuring that those who seek to profit from the pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people are investigated and brought to justice.”

Prosecutors seek additional victims of Ellendale pastor The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking the public’s assistance in the prosecution of a Sussex County pastor indicted for Unlawful Sexual Contact, and is requesting that any additional victims contact law enforcement. Major Foster, a Lincoln man who at the time was employed as pastor of Ellendale’s […]

The Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has secured two convictions against William Freeborn, the former Executive Director of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank (WNCLB). “If you abuse the public’s trust we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The defendant used a position of public confidence to […]

Indictment includes multiple Attempted Murder, Vehicle Theft charges Four Wilmington men have been indicted following an investigation into a series of connected events in which the defendants are alleged to have stolen motor vehicles and used them in shootings. The defendants – Kyair Keys, Walike Parham, Markel Richards, and Jahmir Morris-Whit – collectively face 75 […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released the following statement today after a jury convicted State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness of Official Misconduct, Structuring, and Conflict of Interest: “From the moment I took office, I promised that no one would be either above the law or beneath justice. Today’s guilty verdict confirmed that. After weeks or grueling trial […]

Ex-Tower Hill employee faces seven felonies; no Delaware children or THS students among known victims A Wilmington man and former Tower Hill School employee arrested in April has been indicted on charges arising from a child pornography investigation. William Ushler, 53, was arrested and charged on April 19 by members of the Department of Justice […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings applauded several policy changes implemented by the Criminal Justice Council as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen rights for survivors of sexual assault. The new policies establish timelines for the collection, documentation, processing and investigation of assault evidence “kits.” This policy is a result of funding received from the U.S. […]

Defendant’s murder conviction follows co-conspirator’s guilty plea The Department of Justice secured convictions on all counts, including 1st Degree Murder, against a Newark defendant charged with the killing of 17-year-old Madison Sparrow, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday. Sparrow was first reported missing on October 2, 2020; a subsequent investigation by Delaware State Police and […]

Defendant faces decades in prison Department of Justice prosecutors indicted a man Monday for robbing and brutally assaulting the owner of a Wilmington jewelry store in September 2022.  Calvin Ushery, Jr., 39, is charged with multiple felonies — including Assault 1st Degree — for the attack, which was caught on video. In the video, Ushery pistol-whips the victim […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the DOJ’s Fraud Division has secured revocations of the corporate charters or certificates of formation of multiple Delaware-registered business entities connected to criminal entities, including a Venezuelan cartel and a federally sanctioned online pharmacy based in Argentina. “Delaware’s central role in the business community is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said […]

A Magnolia man has pleaded guilty to two counts of Unlawful Sexual Conduct Against a Child and two counts of Human Trafficking a Minor. George Curtis, 31, was arrested following an investigation that found that he, while serving as the photographer for an illicit photoshoot prearranged on social media, repeatedly made unwanted sexual contact with […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Wilmington Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos announced today that a Wilmington man, Oliver “Butter” Henry, has been arrested and charged for the January 2015 murder of 16-year-old Jordan Ellerbe. Ellerbe’s murder ignited a rapidly accelerating feud between two rival gangs, Shoot to Kill and Only My Brothers. In the months […]

The DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has indicted a former Delaware Correctional Officer and K9 handler on three charges, including a felony, for recklessly confining and causing the death of a four-year-old law enforcement animal named Lux. “We find these stories so viscerally disturbing not only because we care for the […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings and the DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust announced Friday that a New Castle County jury has convicted James MacColl, formerly a corporal of the Wilmington Police Department, of felony false statement to law enforcement and official misconduct. “Justice was served today,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Police who break the […]

The Delaware Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Unit has indicted three individuals with running a ring of illicit massage establishments, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced today   “Some people assume human trafficking only happens on the other side of the world, but the reality is that it is right in our backyard — and cases […]

DOJ, DSP seeking additional victims   A former Seaford High School employee faces six felony child sexual abuse charges under an indictment returned by a Sussex County jury, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday. Jerry Sodano, 52, of Bridgeville was charged Monday following an investigation into allegations of an illegal sexual relationship with a student at […]

The Department of Justice has secured 40 convictions, including multiple murder and attempted murder charges, against two members of the violent Wilmington-area gang NorthPak, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Wednesday. “Thanks to an outstanding trial team and tireless investigators, led by the Wilmington Police Department, justice was delivered today,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These verdicts, […]

A King of Prussia man has been convicted for the 2021 stalking and murder of Nicole Crawford. On March 16, Justin Chaffier, 36, was found guilty of Murder 1st  Degree in addition to a felony Stalking charge. The conviction followed an investigation in which it was confirmed through multiple Ring camera videos, phone records, and DNA testing that […]

A Newark man has been indicted and arrested for a 2009 homicide following a cold case investigation. On April 24, 31-year-old Ricardo J. Vega was indicted on two counts of Murder 1st Degree for the killing of 19-year-old Justin Trnka. Trnka, also of Newark, was killed during an armed robbery on March17,2009. Potential charges for the armed robbery are subject to a statute of limitations […]

Defendant faces multiple felonies after stealing drug evidence  The Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust has indicted a Millsboro police sergeant and evidence custodian after an investigation revealed that he tampered with and used drugs stored in the Department’s evidence locker.   Matthew Dufour, 34, faces ten charges—including multiple felonies such […]

Prosecutors have secured indictments against four defendants charged with multiple carjackings, along with kidnapping, rape, and theft.   On June 5, the Department of Justice secured indictments against Defendants Tonnaire McNair-Matthews, 24, of Wilmington; David Hinson, 21, of Bear; Mahkiya Powell, 20, of Wilmington; and Michael Caldwell, 21, of Wilmington. The charges stem from an April, […]

A suspended Delaware State Trooper has been arrested and charged for a domestic physical assault, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Col. Melissa Zebley announced Friday. On March 14, officers from Delaware State Police Troop 9 responded to a residence in Townsend regarding a domestic violence incident involving the defendant, Trooper Anthony DiGati. Police learned that DiGati and the victim had […]

The Department of Justice has secured two additional felony charges in its case against the violent gang NorthPak as a result of the ongoing investigation led by Wilmington Police Department. “This investigation never stops running,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These charges are a reflection of the dogged determination of Wilmington PD and our prosecutors, who […]

Two Delaware women have been sentenced to probation and suspended prison time for tax-related crimes after falsely claiming thousands of dollars in itemized deductions on their tax returns and submitting falsified documents during their respective audits. The cases represent the first prosecutions brought under the new initiative between the Department of Justice and the Department of Finance targeting state tax fraud “These convictions are the result of great work by our prosecutors and our […]

First trial conviction for use of force under Jennings administration A former Wilmington police officer has been convicted of four crimes, including a felony, for an excessive force incident that took place in September 2021. A New Castle County jury found Samuel Waters guilty Monday of felony Tampering With Public Records 1st Degree, Falsifying Business […]

Justices return PCB pollution case to Superior Court The Delaware Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that Attorney General Kathy Jennings’ case against agrochemical giant Monsanto can move forward in Superior Court.   “We thank the Court for its unanimous affirmation that our case can move forward in Superior Court,” said AG Jennings. “This ruling is […]