Prosecutors Secure Significant Prison Time for Defendants on Child Abuse, Kidnapping, Strangulation, Weapon, and Drug Dealing Charges

A New Castle man will spend 20 years in prison after being sentenced in New Castle County Superior Court on one count of Sexual Abuse by a Person of Trust First Degree. Deputy Attorney General Jan van Amerongen obtained the sentence for 39-year-old Jair Molina. In February, Molina pled guilty to abusing a girl in his care while she was 12 and 13 years old. Molina was sentenced to 30 years Level V, suspended after 20 years for 2 years at Level IV, suspended after 6 months for 18 months of Level III probation. Molina must also register as a Tier 3 sex offender.

Deputy Attorney General Diana Dunn obtained a 23-year prison sentence for Herbert Clanton, 49, of Norfolk, Virginia. In November 2014, Clanton broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend on Fairway Road in Newark, and refused to let her leave. While inside, Clanton hit and choked the victim. Clanton was sentenced as a habitual offender to Burglary 2nd, Kidnapping 2nd and Strangulation, receiving 23 years Level V followed by probation.

Deputy Attorney General Casey Ewart secured an 11-year prison sentence for Andrew Moore, 32, of Laurel, who pled guilty in March to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Burglary 2nd, and Theft of Firearm. In November 2014, Moore broke into a home on Revel Road in Millsboro, stealing more than $10,000 worth of guns, televisions, and jewelry. He also broke into the home’s shed and stole a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. The Court sentenced Moore to a total of 11 years and 6 months at Level V including completion of Key/Crest program, followed by 2 years of Level III probation with Crest Aftercare.

Deputy Attorney General Caterina Gatto secured a 10-year prison sentence for Michael Wiggins, 29, of New Castle on drug charges. Wiggins was arrested in December 2014, when a Delaware State Trooper spotted a car 2014 Dodge Charger in the parking lot of the Fairview Inn on South Marking Street in Wilmington. Upon investigating, the trooper noticed drugs and a gun in the front of the car. That investigation lead to the search of two motel rooms and another vehicle, where additional drugs and a second gun were located. Wiggins was convicted of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Drug Dealing (Tier 4 quantity of heroin), and Conspiracy Second Degree. Wiggins was sentenced to 10 years Level V.

DE Attorney General Seal - new dec 2014