WILMINGTON, DE – Deputy Attorneys General within the Delaware Department of Justice had several significant successes recently.

Trials:

Deputy Attorneys General Matt Frawley and Christina Kontis secured a guilty verdict against Leshawn Buckham, 28, of Wilmington, on two counts of first degree robbery. Buckham was seen shoplifting from the Sears in the Concord Mall in Wilmington in August 2014. When approached in the parking lot, she assaulted two loss prevention officers from the store, including using pepper spray, before getting into a car and driving away.

Deputy Attorney General Marc Petrucci secured a conviction against Joseph Mullins, 28, of Clayton, on charges of second degree driving under the influence, careless driving, and failure to have insurance. He was immediately sentenced to 60 days in prison, followed by one year of probation. He is also required to complete a DUI program.

Sentences:

Deputy Attorney General Josette Manning secured five-year prison sentence for Casey Eller, 36, of Smyrna, for his guilty plea to first degree child abuse. In May 2014, Eller abused his 5-month-old son resulting in a long term, serious injury.

Deputy Attorneys General Joe Grubb and Michael DegliObizzi secured a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence against 28-year-old Darryl West of Bridgeville, for drug dealing, promoting prison contraband, and conspiracy. West was a corrections officer and was caught smuggling cell phones and marijuana into the prison.

Deputy Attorney General Jamie McCloskey secured a 20-year prison sentence for Jason Scott, 39, of Newark, for attempted murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The shooting took place during a drug deal at a Pike Creek apartment complex in May 2014. Scott was also sentenced to probation for 2 counts of third degree burglary, and second degree conspiracy for a series of vehicle burglaries in New Castle County parks. Burglary 3rd Degree and Conspiracy 2nd degree in a separate case. His probation will run after his prison time, concurrent to his probation on the attempted murder.

Deputy Attorney General Jamie McCloskey secured a 9-year prison for Maurice Clements, 24, of Bear, for possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, drug dealing, and second degree conspiracy. Clements was also declared a habitual offender. Another defendant in the case, Michael Clements, 26, also of Bear, was sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison for possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, and drug dealing.

Deputy Attorney General Barzilai Axelrod secured a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Jerel Hackett, 45, of Wilmington for possession of burglar tools. In April 2014, Hackett tried to steal scrap metal from an electrical substation, and fled when police tried to arrest him. Hackett, who was declared an habitual offender, also received probation on his accompanying resisting arrest charge.

Deputy Attorney General Jan van Amerongen secured a prison sentence for Jamal Winckler, 25, of Newark. He was sentenced to 8 years, suspended after 3 years, followed by probation, on charges of fourth degree rape, and sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child. Winckler had sex with a young teen while the victim was at a friend’s house.

Resolutions:

Deputy Attorney General Sonia Augusthy secured a guilty plea from Paul Jewell, 32, of Newark, on charges of rape and continuous sexual abuse of child. Jewell faces a minimum mandatory sentence of four years in prison, and has agreed to request no less than eight years at sentencing.

Deputy Attorney General Phillip Casale secured a guilty plea from Corey Sliwinski, 18, of Wilmington, for possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Sliwinski was arrested for two violations of probation, and police found a gun while searching his home. Sliwinski was sentenced to a minimum mandatory 5 years in prison, plus an additional 30 years of back time.

Deputy Attorney General Caterina Gatto secured a guilty plea to one count of second degree burglary, and two counts of third degree burglary from William Comrie, 44, of Newark. Comrie was responsible for two break-ins in Newark in April of 2014. He was sentenced as a habitual offender to eight years in prison.

Deputy Attorney General Jamie McCloskey secured a guilty plea from Gregory Davis, 57, of Clayton, to two counts of second degree burglary, and two counts of second degree forgery. Davis broke into homes, stole money and checks, and then cashed the checks at area banks. He is being declared a habitual offender, and sentencing is recommended for 12 years in prison.

Deputy Attorney General Jamie McCloskey secured a guilty plea to two counts of second degree robbery, and one count of second degree conspiracy from Dymere Hall, 22, of New Castle. Hall is responsible for the robberies of two convenience stores in New Castle County in December 2014.

Company’s Hedwin Division will relocate from Baltimore to Newark

Newark, DE – Zacros America Inc. has announced that it will move its Hedwin Division, along with 154 manufacturing jobs, from Baltimore to Newark, bolstering the state’s efforts to attract innovative companies and grow job opportunities in key sectors for today’s economy, including manufacturing.

Hedwin was launched in Baltimore in 1946 and has been a pioneer in the packaging and containment industry. The company’s “Winstead Process” was developed for molten sheet thermoforming used to develop plastic heat-sealing and the company’s classic Cubitainer product line.

“The manufacturing sector of 2015 looks much different than the one of even a decade ago. Whether it’s a packaging and safety equipment maker in Seaford, a chicken processing plant in Milford or a pharmaceutical firm in Wilmington, Delaware is home to a wide variety of excellent companies that offer well-paying jobs and are poised for future growth,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “Hedwin has a long history of innovation, and we look forward to helping them continue to break new ground over the years to come.”

Hedwin is a global provider of flexible and rigid packaging solutions for cosmetics, food, flavoring, industrial medical, pharmaceutical and sanitary markets. In 2014, the company was purchased by Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd., a Japanese converter of flexible films and packaging. During the same year, Hedwin became a division within Fujimori’s subsidiary, Zacros America.

The company has distributors in 36 cities nationwide and works closely with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, one of its new neighbors in Newark.

“When we looked at potential sites for Zacros America, Delaware had the best workforce and the right location,” said Maurice LeCompte, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Hedwin Division of Zacros America. “We felt that Delaware wanted to promote manufacturing more than the other options we were considering. We also saw the greatest potential for a strong partnership with the state and its business community.”

On Monday, Zacros America was approved for a Delaware Strategic Fund Performance grant and a Capital Expenditure Grant for the creation of 154 new full-time permanent Delaware positions at its new location on Lake Drive in Newark.

“Adding jobs to the manufacturing sector will provide a major boost to, and help to diversify, our economy. What we really liked about Zacros’ Hedwin division is that they have the desire and the ability for future expansion,” said Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “If and when Hedwin decides to add more jobs, they will be tapping into a workforce that is well-trained and well-prepared. And that’s one of the reasons why they chose Delaware.”

About the Delaware Economic Development Office The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Zacros America Inc. Zacros America Inc. is a subsidiary of Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd., a Japanese converter of flexible films and packaging. In January 2012, the company opened an office just outside of Chicago, a central location that allows it to serve its North American customer base with utmost efficiency. In May of 2014, Zacros acquired the former Hedwin Corporation, now known as the Hedwin Division of Zacros America, Inc. The Chicago office currently handles all flexible film and pouch inquires, and the Hedwin Division handles all BIB inquiries. Visit www.zacrosamerica.com.

###

DOVER — Delaware horse racing contributed more than $182 million to the state’s economy in 2014, supporting the equivalent of more than 1,500 full-time jobs, according to an economic impact study released today.

“Horse racing is an important part of Delaware agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “These numbers show just how important, demonstrating the endurance and strength of this industry. Racing supports stables, supply stores, veterinarians and our family farms – all helping keep agriculture strong and vibrant.”

Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing at Delaware’s three tracks, and associated spending, generated $60 million in wages and salaries and contributed nearly $17 million in taxes, according to the study. Direct spending for goods and services is estimated at $57 million annually by horsemen, $6.9 million by tracks and spectators, and $4.1 million by government agencies and racing associations. Wages and salaries in those sectors added another $40 million in direct spending. The total economic impact accounts for those sources, as well as multiplier effects.

The study was conducted by the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research in the Alfred Lerner College of Business at the University of Delaware. It was commissioned by the Delaware Department of Agriculture under Senate Bill 220, passed last session by the Delaware General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Jack A. Markell in July 2014.

The study’s authors, Associate Professor William Latham and Professor Kenneth Lewis, gathered data from racetracks, national and state horsemen’s associations, government agencies and a survey of horsemen conducted during fall 2014. The study shows that horse racing supports a variety of sectors, including agricultural businesses such as feed equipment; veterinary services; retail operations; health care; and legal and professional services.

“This data represents a comprehensive tally of the impact of horse racing in Delaware,” Latham said. “Direct spending has significant ripples, with each $100 of spending resulting in $182 of total economic impact.”

# # #

Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Director of Communications and Marketing
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520
daniel.shortridge@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of original work by Harold Kalmus from May 1 – 29, 2015. The Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. A reception will be held for the exhibition where the public can meet the artist on Friday, May 1, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Harold Kalmus will show a variety of his figurative sculpture including large scale portraits, smaller full figure compositions, and figure study reliefs. Described as a “contemporary realist,” his style reflects a mastery of anatomy. Kalmus injects a narrative or story through the use of the figure, symbols and gestures.

Harold Kalmus received his BFA from the Philadelphia College of Art, concentrating on the study of sculpture, art theory and anatomy. He has kept an active studio in the historic community of Arden, Delaware.

Dover – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today marked National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed this year from April 19-25, by reaffirming its commitment to engaging with survivors and their families and unveiling a new informational brochure for community members impacted by crime.

Last spring, Commissioner Robert Coupe strengthened DOC’s victim resources by establishing a statewide victim service coordinator position. Coupe hired experienced victim advocate Renee Buskirk as DOC’s first Victim Services Coordinator to serve as a direct point of contact for victims and to engage with state and local police agencies, the Attorney General’s office, and non-profit social service agencies in an effort to coordinate resources for victims as their cases move from the prosecution, through the term of offenders’ criminal sentences, and beyond.

“For many survivors of crime and their families, the arrest of a suspect and the conclusion of the prosecution are just two steps in a years-long recovery and healing process,” Commissioner Coupe said today. “Survivors and their families continue to need the support of the criminal justice system. That’s where our Victim Services program steps in to provide information about the DOC’s supervision of offenders who are serving criminal sentences and to offer referrals to services and programs that can support victims in their ongoing recovery.”

Commissioner Coupe reported today that over the past year DOC’s Victim Services Coordinator has responded to more than 1,400 inquiries. In response to those inquiries, the DOC has developed the Guide to Victim Services, an informational brochure that outlines several state resources for survivors and their families, features answers to frequently asked questions, and provides contact information for victim serving organizations. “We’re pleased that our enhanced victim services are meeting our goal of providing a new level of individual service to victims and families who have been impacted by offenders in our custody or in community-based supervision, and we hope that our new informational brochure empowers victims to reach out for help and engage in the correctional system,” Coupe said.

The DOC Victim Services Coordinator assists victims to:
• be prepared to participate in the correctional process, if they choose
• understand DOC’s role in supervising offenders who serve criminal sentences, including its supervision of offenders in prison and in the community
• obtain information and answers to questions surrounding the processes of incarceration and probation
• receive information and referrals to services
• register with VINELink, an automated notification system that allows crime victims to obtain real-time information about criminal court cases and changes in the custody status of offenders
• check eligibility for victim’s compensation
• establish Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders
• connect with domestic violence advocacy programs

DOC victim services contact information:
Renee Buskirk, Victim Services Coordinator
Phone: (302) 857-5440
E-mail: DOC_VictimServices@delaware.gov
Web: www.doc.delaware.gov (click on “Victim Services”)

# # #