Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that two people have been charged with multiple felonies over the abuse and eventual death of Emma Cole, a child whose remains were found at a Smyrna softball field. Brandon Haas, 39, and Kristie Haas, 28, were indicted Monday afternoon on charges including First Degree Child Abuse and Endangering […]

A New Castle woman has pleaded guilty to Murder by Abuse First Degree, 6 counts of Child Abuse First Degree, and 2 counts of Child Abuse Second Degree. Following an extensive investigation by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit and the Delaware Department of Justice, a grand jury indicted Dejoynay Ferguson in July for the repeated […]

My heart is heavy tonight for three innocent victims: Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department, who is being treated for grave injuries he suffered in an attack this morning, and an elderly couple who also suffered severe injuries at the hands of the same attacker. DOJ personnel have been onsite in Delmar since […]

DOJ has indicted nine public officials in Jennings’ term Attorney General Kathy Jennings and the DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) announced Tuesday the indictments of two public officials, William Freeborn and Rebecca Walker. “We cannot and will not tolerate violations of the public trust,” said Attorney General Jennings. “We fought hard to […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that Kristie Haas has been reindicted for her role in the abuse and death of Emma Cole, a child whose remains were found at a Smyrna softball field. Haas, 28, will now face two counts of Murder by Abuse or Neglect First Degree under a superseding indictment, in addition […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that the Department of Justice has secured the indictment of Randon Wilkerson for the murder of Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar Police Department. Wilkerson will face two counts of Murder First Degree, two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and 11 […]

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. […]

The State Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that would formalize a responsible, independent, and collaborative process to allocate the significant funds the State has received, and will continue to receive, from opioid settlements. Senate Bill 166, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen and House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, and supported by Attorney General Kathy Jennings, would establish […]

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 […]

The State of Delaware and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Chemours Company, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. and Corteva, Inc, (the “Companies”), businesses with a long history of operations within the State, today announced a settlement agreement designed to benefit Delaware’s natural resources and the people of the State of Delaware now, […]

Jennings held out from a prior deal that would have been $4 billion less Attorney General Jennings announced a historic $26 billion settlement with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors and one of its largest opioid manufacturers, which will help bring desperately needed relief to those struggling with opioid addiction. The agreement resolves investigations 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 […]

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 […]

Attorney General Jennings today joined a nationwide investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting its social media platform – Instagram – to children and young adults despite knowing that such use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys General across the country are examining whether the company […]

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. […]

Prosecutors have convicted Kwesi Hudson on 15 charges, including multiple felonies. Hudson, 50, was indicted in 2018 for a string of robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assault against three victims in February and March of 2017. “These heinous crimes victimized three women and terrorized an entire community for months,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “I’m grateful […]

z Convenience Market on Governor

Chancery filing seeks invalidation of illegal fetal tissue ordinance After twice warning the City of Seaford that it was considering an anti-choice ordinance that was contrary to State law, Attorney General Kathy Jennings has filed suit against the City of Seaford over the ordinance.  The ordinance, passed on December 14 and scheduled to become effective […]

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 […]

Guns used in Dover homicide, New Castle County suicide; many remain unrecovered Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined law enforcement and prosecutors Wednesday to announce that the DOJ has secured 87 felony charges against five defendants who are collectively charged with illegally purchasing and providing to others more than 60 firearms, including guns recovered at the […]

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 […]

Attorney General Kathleen Jennings urges all Delaware residents who believe they were impacted by the data breach announced by T-Mobile in August 2021 to take appropriate steps to protect their information from identity theft. On August 17,  T-Mobile reported a massive data breach compromising the sensitive personal information of millions of current, former, and prospective […]

Jennings successfully appealed from original deal, more than doubling Delaware’s recovery with up to $25 million extra Institutions may remove Sackler name from buildings, scholarships; Sacklers to be banned from opioid business and Purdue to dissolve Attorney General Jennings announced today a tentative settlement worth as much as $6 billion with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family […]

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 […]

Defendants sentenced to total of 47 years for gun, drug offenses Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the Department of Justice secured drug and firearms sentences in February against three Kent County men who were arrested in connection with the joint state/federal Operation Rise-N-Shyne investigation. “Justice called for robust sentences in these cases,” said […]

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.”

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the Department of Justice charged 130 gun offenders and secured more than 245 total years in prison sentences on 18 gun convictions in the month of February.  Since 2019, the DOJ has an 83% conviction rate in Superior Court gun cases. “My first priority is combatting violent crime—particularly gun […]

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 […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the Department of Justice charged 102 gun offenders and secured 279.5 total years in prison sentences on 67 gun convictions in the month of March. “My first priority is combatting violent crime—particularly gun crimes,” said AG Jennings.  “Gun violence is a both a national crisis and a local one. In Delaware, […]

In honor of Second Chance Month, the Delaware DOJ’s Community Engagement Unit is partnering with the Delaware Center for Justice and several community groups to host a joint job fair and expungement clinic at the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center in New Castle on Thursday, April 28 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. The […]

A Sussex County man has been sentenced to two years in prison for a hate crime involving a neighbor. James Raab, of Laurel, was sentenced on April 22 after pleading guilty to felony Hate Crime, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Aggravated Menacing, and Resisting Arrest. Raab, 38, was arrested […]

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 regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization: “Just one day after dramatically curtailing states’ rights to regulate guns, the Supreme Court has upended a half-century of legal precedent by permitting states to regulate women’s most basic freedom — control over […]

Chancery ruling invalidates illegal fetal tissue ordinance A fetal tissue ordinance enacted by Seaford City Council late last year has been overturned following a successful legal challenge by Attorney General Kathy Jennings and the Delaware Department of Justice. The ordinance, enacted on December 14 with an original effective date of January 22, would have forced […]

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 […]