Governor’s Weekly Message: Achieving Delaware Promise

(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights ongoing efforts and initiatives for Delawareans to receive the skills they need to succeed in a global economy.

“We’re also making strides toward giving Delawareans who are struggling the most a better path
toward reaching their potential. Our budget improves and expands services available to combat
those suffering from the addiction epidemic. As a result of a new law and new state programs
started this year, we’re better supporting youth with disabilities in achieving successful careers
and financial security,” Gov. Markell said. “We have much more to do, but it’s clear that we
continue to make great progress. By continuing to focus on initiatives that provide more people
with the opportunities to gain the skills they need to get a good job and thrive in today’s
economy, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript
form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Eu8ExQnOKyw
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Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Achieving Delaware Promise


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Achieving Delaware Promise

In my State of the State address in January, I talked about the Delaware Promise. It boils down to
this: we strive to ensure every Delawarean receives the education and training to reach their
potential and compete successfully in our changing economy. The budget I signed this past week and
the initiatives established this year will bring us closer to fulfilling our promise. Our budget
invests in expanding individualized support for struggling students, better tracking our students’
progress, supporting coaching and mentorship for educators and school leaders, and growing our
successful efforts to increase access to college. We’re progressing toward improving our educator
compensation system to attract and retain more great teachers, while examining ways to change our
75-year-old school funding system to direct more resources where they are needed the most. After
decades of calls for change in Wilmington, we’re on a path toward giving the City community better
opportunities to engage in their children’s’ schools by redrawing district lines. And we’ve
launched programs that allow students to earn college credit and workplace experience in key
industries before they graduate. We’re also making strides toward giving Delawareans who are
struggling the most a better path toward reaching their potential. Our budget improves and expands
services available to combat those suffering from the addiction epidemic. As a result of a new law
and new state programs started this year, we’re better supporting youth with disabilities in
achieving successful careers and financial security.


Northern Exposure: Delaware’s new foreign trade representative to support local companies looking to do business in Canada

Canada offers the most promise to Delaware companies looking for trade and partnership opportunities abroad.

That was the message Delaware’s new foreign trade representative for Canada drove home to local business owners during a recent roundtable at the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

“Canada is a neighbor and a natural partner,” said Ludovic Ortuno, an experienced international trade and development professional working and living in the Montreal area. “It has a well-developed, mature market with diverse industries organized into clusters, and a long and successful trading history with the U.S.”

Ortuno was recently engaged by Global Delaware to help Delaware businesses find partners in Canada. He works in-country to perform market research and analysis, develop product strategies for market entry, identify potential customers, provide in-country logistical, translational and related support services, and even negotiate with distributors on behalf of Delaware companies.

With many years of experience working with premier international trade and development agencies, Ortuno has an extensive understanding of what it takes to launch new products in Canada and other markets. “Ludovic is a seasoned trade expert and a strategic thinker. He can help companies with all aspects of marketing, find resources, identify the right partners and navigate Canadian rules and regulations,” noted Global Delaware Director Andrea Tinianow.

During the roundtable, Ortuno told participants that Canada is the largest export market for the U.S., with bilateral investment and trade between Canada and the United States reaching $1 trillion annually. Canada has the largest growth in GDP of the G-7 countries, he noted, and is ranked as the most favorable country with which to do business of the G-20. The International Monetary Fund predicts its Gross Domestic Product will grow consistently at 2 percent annually through 2020.

Ortuno cautioned that although Canada’s geographic proximity and comparable business culture make it an easier export target market, it is still a different country. “Canada is friendly to the U.S., but has its own certification processes, regulations, business and labor laws,” he explained. “Delaware companies need the proper tools and resources to successfully sell their goods and services across the border.”

State efforts to help companies seek opportunities abroad

Connecting Delaware businesses with foreign trade representatives is part of Global Delaware’s Strategic Export Plan to increase business opportunities and jobs for local companies. Foreign trade representatives have extensive contacts with in-country industry associations and government agencies, chambers of commerce and public and private organizations, as well as specialized expertise in assisting U.S. companies establish distributor and customer networks in their country markets.

In addition to developing a network of foreign trade representatives, Global Delaware will organize trade missions to key markets for qualifying businesses and provide access to an exhaustive database of international distributors.

“We want more Delaware companies to be part of the $1 billion that goes back and forth across the Canadian border daily,” Andrea Tinianow said. “We are building the bridges, tunnels and railways so our businesses can join the global economy; we are committed to getting them there.”

To learn more about Global Delaware, please visit: global.delaware.gov


Joint Investigation Between DSP and DOJ Nets 35 in Operation “In The House”

GEORGETOWN, DE – In February 2015, the Delaware State Police and the Delaware Department of Justice began planning an operation designed to proactively impact violent crime in Sussex and Kent Counties. This operation targeted subjects participating in an organized criminal enterprise. Members of this network were active participants in the crimes of racketeering, murder, home invasion robbery, illegal weapons possession, and the distribution of illegal narcotics.

Operation “In The House” was initiated on March 17, 2015. Troop 4 Major Crimes Unit, Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, Sussex County Drug Unit, and the Delaware Department of Justice organized and conducted this operation with the assistance of the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, Kent County Drug Unit, Kent County Governor’s Task Force, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Drug Enforcement Administration – Dover Field Office (DEA), U.S Marshalls, Delaware Department of Corrections, Dover Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, and the Philadelphia Police Department. During this Operation, investigators used numerous investigative techniques to identify members involved in violent crime and the distribution of large amounts of Cocaine and Heroin in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Through the investigation, detectives were able to establish that Steven Kellam, Rhamir Waples, Richard Robinson, Shamir Stratton, Damon Bethea, and Carlton Gibbs operated in a criminal network that targeted specific victims for home invasion robberies. The victims targeted by the organization were believed to be involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics. The defendants planned and committed numerous home invasion robberies with the goal of obtaining illegal narcotics and United States Currency from the victims. The investigation revealed that the suspects would conceal their identity by donning clothing items over their faces and then make forced entry into the home of the victims and utilize firearms to commit robbery. During one of the home invasion robberies, two victims were shot and killed and during another, one victim was wounded during an exchange of gunfire.

The below subjects were linked and charged with the following crimes:

• On January 14, 2014, Victims Cletis Nelson and William Hopkins were shot and killed during a home invasion robbery within a residence located on Harmon’s Hill Road, Millsboro, DE. Steven Kellam, Richard Robinson, Rhamir Waples, Shamir Stratton, Damon Bethea, Carlton Gibbs were all charged with the home invasion and murder of the victims. Rachel Rentoul and Jackie Heverin were charged with robbery related offenses for assisting in the planning of the crime.
• Steven Kellam, Richard Robinson, and Rhamir Waples were charged with a home invasion robbery that occurred on the 28000 block of Russell Avenue in the Oak Orchard area of Millsboro on May 18, 2014. During this robbery, the suspects pistol whipped a 24 year old male.
• Steven Kellam, Richard Robinson, and Rhamir Waples were charged with an attempted home invasion that occurred on August 22, 2014. During this incident, the suspects kicked in the door of a residence on the 27000 block of Chris Drive in Millsboro but fled as the residents blocked the door and called police.
• Steven Kellam, Richard Robinson, and Rhamir Waples were charged with a December 11, 2014 home invasion robbery that occurred on the 27000 block of Sandy Drive in Millsboro. During this incident the suspects pistol whipped a 46 year old male, and assaulted a 56 year old female.
• Steven Kellam, Richard Robinson, and Rhamir Waples were charged with a December 14, 2014 home invasion robbery that occurred on the 29000 block of Cordrey Road, Millsboro. During this incident the suspects shot and wounded a 37 year old male victim.

This investigation also showed that the above subjects had relationships with several individuals heavily involved in the trade of heroin and cocaine in Sussex County. Investigators were able to determine that Jackson Vanvorst of Laurel operated a large distribution network in Sussex County and employed John Richardson, Ray Revel, and Cornell Smith in the allocation of the heroin. Investigators were also able to determine that Angelina Levan and James Johnson of Harrington were supplying Vanvorst with large amounts of heroin. Vanvorst also orchestrated a large shoplifting ring in which he would send drug users to steal pre-determined items from numerous department, hardware, and groceries stores. Vanvorst would “pay” these individuals with drugs, and he would in turn sell these items for profit in the community.

Investigators were also able to identify several large scale cocaine dealers through relationships with the individuals involved in the home invasion robberies. Australia Mackey of Millsboro was identified as operating a cocaine network in Sussex County and was distributing powder and “crack” cocaine to numerous other large scale drug dealers in Sussex. These individuals were identified as Nathan Henry, Aaron Isler, Myricka Sampson, Leondious Gibbs, Corina Lloyd, Samuel Jones, Jermichael Deshields, and Thomas Deshields. The investigation determined that Tavon Biles of Rehoboth Beach and Zachery Bates of Smyrna were supplying Mackey with large amounts of cocaine. All of the named suspects were charged with numerous drug related charges.

The first phase of Operation “In the House” ended during the first week of May 2015. The operation ended with the execution of 25 search warrants at various locations throughout Kent and Sussex County. At that time 30 individuals were indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury. As a result of the investigation the following items were seized: 2,321.7 grams (over 2 kilograms) of Cocaine, 108.03 grams (over 7,200 bags) of Heroin, 7,921.65 grams of Marijuana, .02 grams of Methamphetamine, and 41 prescription narcotic pills. Investigators also recovered and seized $135,310.00 in United States Currency, 19 firearms and 15 vehicles. Indictments were obtained for the defendants involved in the Murders and Home Invasions on June 22, 2015. Investigations on several related incidents are still on-going.

The below individuals were arrested for the listed offenses in conjunction with their roles in the above detailed crimes. Not all listed individuals remain incarcerated with Delaware Department of Correction except for the subjects charged with Murder 1st who are held without bail:

• Steven Kellam, 34 of Dover (Photo Labeled with name at the Bottom) – 81 Charges – Murder 1st Degree, Attempted Murder 1st Degree, Racketeering, Home Invasion, Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, PFDCF, PFBPP, Conspiracy 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, Tier 4 Delivery of Narcotics, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony. Held without bail.

• Damon Bethea, 30 of Pennsauken, NJ (Photo Labeled with name at the Bottom) – 22 Charges – Murder 1st Degree, Home Invasion, Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, PFDCF, Conspiracy 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Held without bail.

• Carlton Gibbs, 40 of Millsboro (Photo Labeled with name at the Bottom) –23 Charges – Murder 1st Degree, Home Invasion, Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, PFDCF, PFBPP, Conspiracy 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree. Held without bail.

• Jackson Vanvorst, 34 of Laurel– 55 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Heroin, Tier 2 Delivery of Heroin, Tier 4 Delivery of Heroin, Tier 4 PWITD Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd, Delivery of Cocaine, PFBPP, Delivery of Heroin, Possession of Heroin.

• Australia Mackey, 39 of Millsboro – 62 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Tier 4 PWITD Cocaine, Criminal Solicitation 2nd.

• Tavon Biles, 32 of Rehoboth Beach – 14 charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd

• Zackary Bates, 31 of Smyrna – 3 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd

• Angelina Levan, 46 of Harrington – 15 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Heroin, Tier 4 Delivery of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd.

• James Johnson, 45 of Harrington – 6 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Heroin, Tier 4 Delivery of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd

• John E. Richardson, 30 of Georgetown – 7 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Heroin, Tier 4 Delivery of Heroin, Tier 3 Possession of Heroin, Tier 2 Delivery of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd, Maintaining a Drug Property
• Ray Revel WMN

• Cornell B. Smith, 31 of Millsboro – 5 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Heroin, Tier 4 Delivery of Heroin, Delivery of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd,

• Thomas Deshields, 36 of Millsboro – 10 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 PWITD of Cocaine, Delivery of Cocaine, PWITD Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal Solicitation 2nd Degree

• Jermichael Deshields, 35 of Millsboro – 11 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 PWITD Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Nathan Henry, 31 of Georgetown – 12 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd , Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Leondious Gibbs, 29 of Millsboro – 6 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 PWITD of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, PFBPP, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

• Aaron D. Isler, 34 of Ellendale – 8 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd , Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Anthony Hopkins, 53 of Milton – 12 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd , Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Corina Lloyd, 40 of Millsboro – 8 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd , Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Myricka A. Sampson, 33 of Harbeson – 12 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd , Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Desirae A. Hammel, 24 of Lewes – 2 Charges – Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd
• Perry Butler, 51 of Greenwood – 6 Charges – Tier 4 Possession of Oxycodone, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd , Possession of Oxycodone

• Kevin Worrell, 35 of Lewes – 4 Charges – PFBPP, Possession of Cocaine, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd

• Daniel Godwin, 28 of Georgetown – 3 Charges – Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal Solicitation 2nd

• Angela Brown, 43 of Dover – 2 Charges – Delivery of Oxycodone, Conspiracy 2nd

• Sheri Chalfant, 52 of Laurel – 2 Charges – Delivery of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd

• Domonique Johnson, 20 of Ellendale – 3 Charges – Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal Solicitation 2nd

Arrest warrants have been obtained for the following individuals in connection with this investigation who have NOT been located

Rhamir D. Waples BMN 03-21-1996 – 81 Charges – Murder 1st Degree, Attempted Murder 1st Degree, Racketeering, Home Invasion, Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, PFDCF, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony

Richard Robinson BMN 08-13-1994– 81 Charges – Murder 1st Degree, Attempted Murder 1st Degree, Racketeering, Home Invasion, Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, PFDCF, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony

Shamir A. Stratton BMN 08-01-1990 – 22 Charges – Murder 1st Degree, Home Invasion, Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Robbery 1st Degree, PFDCF, Conspiracy 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Rachel R. Rentoul WFN 01-22-1985 – 13 Charges – Home Invasion, PFDCF, Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Jacquelyn Heverin WFN 12-19-1990 – 13 Charges – Home Invasion, PFDCF, Robbery 1st Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree

Dean R. Zerden, 47 of Millsboro – 3 Charges – Possession of Cocaine, Criminal Solicitation 2nd, Conspiracy 2nd

Samuel J. Jones, 34 of Millsboro – 12 Charges – Tier 5 Possession of Cocaine, Tier 4 Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy 2nd , Criminal Solicitation 2nd

Thomas Tallent, 29 of Georgetown – 3 Charges – Possession of Heroin, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal Solicitation 2nd

If anyone has any information in reference to the location of the listed wanted subjects, they are asked to contact Sgt. G. Windish at 302-752-3814. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

Below is a list of statements provided by agencies involved in the operation:

Delaware Department of Justice – Attorney General’s Office:

“This operation, and these arrests, are just more examples of the remarkable interagency cooperation in and around Delaware that helps protect the public,” said Attorney General Matt Denn. “This is another example of law enforcement agencies working together to take criminals off the street, this time in a major operation in Sussex County. Late last year, a similar effort broke up a major drug ring in New Castle County, and in January, the law enforcement community came together and netted more than a dozen arrests in taking down a Kent County drug operation. My sincere thanks goes out to the Delaware State Police, along with the Dover, Georgetown, and Philadelphia Police Departments, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S Marshalls, Department of Correction Probation and Parole, and the Sussex Correctional Institution. I also want to recognize Deputy Attorneys General Martin Cosgrove, Chris Hutchison, and Peggy Marshall for leading the DOJ efforts in this dogged investigation, and securing the indictment.”

Delaware State Police:

“This investigation targeted violent criminals and drug traffickers that were part of an organized criminal enterprise operating in Kent and Sussex County. This criminal enterprise was responsible for several serious violent crimes and the importation and distribution of heroin and cocaine throughout the State of Delaware,” said Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent of Delaware State Police. “The arrest of these suspects will have a significant impact and will go a long way to improve the quality of life in the affected communities. An investigation of this magnitude requires significant cooperation, communication, coordination and resources for all of those involved. This investigation continues to emphasize the impact and the benefit to our communities when all of our agencies are working together. Thank you to all of the Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies and The Department of Justice for their excellent teamwork and collaboration on this investigation. All of our agencies remain committed to working with our communities to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking throughout the State of Delaware.”


Don’t Let a DUI Redefine Your Night

Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign begins this weekend

Dover – Heading out for happy hour? Stopping off for a nightcap? Getting one last drink before last call? All those terms take on a wHappy Hourhole new meaning when you get stopped for driving under the influence (DUI).  Happy hour is now sitting in jail waiting for bail, nightcap is now taking a breathalyzer test, and last call is your only call from jail.  Don’t let a DUI redefine your night.  The Delaware Office of Highway Safety along with law enforcement across the state are cracking down on impaired driving and launching the 15th Annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign this holiday weekend.  Last year alcohol was involved in 54 percent of the 111 fatal crashes, which resulted in 67 individuals killed.

The first checkpoint of the season is scheduled for:

            Friday July 3rd – Newport – (NcCo DUI Task Force)

Sobriety checkpoints will be scheduled to take place each week during the six month long Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign along with DUI saturation patrols.  There will also be additional enforcement during peak holiday times including Labor Day, Halloween, and the month of December.

Fortunately Delaware has seen a decrease in the number of alcohol-related fatalities this year compared to this time last year.  Twenty (20) of this year’s 48 traffic deaths (43%) have been alcohol-related.  At this time last year there were 63 fatalities and 63% involved alcohol.

The New Castle County DUI Task Force will again be sworn in by the Delaware Attorney General to conduct sobriety checkpoints throughout the county during the campaign.  The swearing-in ceremony provides the legal justification necessary to allow police officers to make DUI arrests in towns outside their own jurisdiction.

Delaware State Police will participate and also conduct checkpoints in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. Dover PD will conduct checkpoints once a month in their town jurisdiction.

The campaign’s enforcement activities will be supplemented by an all new intense public awareness and education campaign that highlight the fact that a DUI can redefine your night and your life. Paid messages will be placed on T.V. and radio, billboards, print, online, Pandora, movie theater ads, and store floor clings. See website www.ArriveAliveDE.com/DriveSober.  Paid messages will also be included in Spanish print and radio ads.  OHS will continue to tally the total number of DUI arrests made each week in Delaware and display the total on billboards in New Castle County and Sussex County and on the website www.ArriveAliveDE.com/DriveSober.  OHS’s corporate partners will also receive flyers, posters, and table tents to display and help spread the message.

Those convicted of a first time DUI offense in Delaware may spend up to 1 year in prison, and will lose their license, attend an 8-week DUI treatment program and pay thousands of dollars in court, treatment, DMV, and lawyer’s fees (approximately $6,300).

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a regional sobriety checkpoint campaign aimed at arresting DUI offenders by using high visibility enforcement to deter those who would otherwise choose to drink and drive.  The campaign is a six month long effort coordinated locally by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints & patrols statewide.  Delaware had 4,086 DUI arrests statewide for 2014.

For a list of DUI checkpoints in your area text CHECKPOINT to 99000 or for a list of cabs text TAXI to 99000.  More information and resources on Checkpoint Strikeforce can be found at www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com. Follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe, Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE, and subscribe to YouTube channel DelawareOHS.