Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: July 18-24

Reminder for the week: Fishing license required for fishing, crabbing and clamming in Delaware waters

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between July 18-24 made 2,482 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 258 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 56 complaints and issued 38 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Incidents of note:

  • On July 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Thomas W. Watson, 67, of Milton, for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) at the Lewes Public Boat Ramp. Watson was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 14 in Georgetown at a later date.
  • On July 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited four Philadelphia residents for fishing and crabbing violations in Silver Run on the Augustine Wildlife Area. Shui Y. Lin, 48, and Yongdeng Dong, 48, were cited for one count each of no fishing license, no food fish equipment permit, possession of undersized blue crabs and possession of undersized white perch. Lin and Dong were fined $486 each, including court costs. Xiujia Zhang, 36, and Yue L. Chen, 49, were cited for one count each of unlicensed fishing and possession of undersized blue crabs. Zhang and Chen were fined $272 each, including court costs.
  • On July 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited John S. Turulski Jr., 77, of Dover, for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and littering in the parking lot of Garrisons Lake. Turulski was given a mandatory appearance at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover at a later date.
  • On July 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers in Sussex County tagged 300 recreational crab pots on Rehoboth Bay, Love Creek and Herring Creek. On July 21, officers returned to these areas and collected 38 recreational crab pots that had not been checked within the required 72 hours.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (7), possession of undersized blue crabs (6), recreational crab pot tampering (1), improperly marked recreational crab pot (1), failure to tend recreational crab pots at least once within required 72-hour timeframe (1), possession of undersized summer flounder (2), possession of summer flounder parts (1), possession of undersized white perch (2), possession of undersized tautog (1), possession of undersized sea bass (1), and no food fish equipment permit (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: Negligent operation of a vessel (1), no lifejacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (6), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (1), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), and no sound-producing device (1).

Public Safety: DUI/Driving under the influence of alcohol (2).

Other: Littering (1).

Two DNREC press releases were issued this week related to Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police:

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind recreational anglers that a Delaware fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing and clamming in both tidal and non-tidal waters statewide.

A resident annual fishing license costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Anglers under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware. Some requirements differ for non-resident anglers. License-exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they so choose to help support fisheries management in Delaware.

Both resident and non-resident recreational anglers age 16 and older are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (F.I.N.) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware individual fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older and anglers who do not have an individual license fishing on licensed boats, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free F.I.N. number.

Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 285


EPA Recognizes Delaware Among Nation’s Leading Green Power Users

Dover – Today, the State of Delaware announced that it appears as No. 56 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Top 100 list of the largest green power users from the Green Power Partnership. Delaware is using nearly 122 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which represents 40 percent of its total power needs. The State’s choice to use green power is helping to advance the green power market and support clean renewable energy alternatives.

“We all have a responsibility to protect our environment and preserve our natural resources for future generations and we’re committed to leading that effort right here in Delaware,” said Governor Jack Markell. “Our significant and growing use of clean power shows that this energy source is practical and affordable, and also supports job creation and economic growth.”

“Our green power use is an important tool in helping the state lead by example and is a sound business decision,” said Brian Maxwell, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. “We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for helping to lead the way toward a sustainable future.”

“Increasing the percentage of energy from renewable sources reduces the State’s carbon footprint and builds upon Governor Markell’s commitment to Delaware’s environmental stewardship,” said David Small, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

According to the U.S. EPA, The State of Delaware’s green power use of nearly 122 million kWh is equivalent to the electricity use of more than 11,000 average American homes annually.

As defined by EPA, Green power is zero-emissions electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact hydro. Using green power helps build demand for the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and helps users reduce their carbon footprints.

As a result of Governor Markell’s Executive Order 18, Delaware has steadily increased the amount of green power used at state facilities. Through an innovative partnership to aggregate the purchase of state agency electricity with other public entities such as local governments, schools and higher education, the state increased the amount of green power purchased to 40 percent of the total electricity used by state agencies in the Delmarva Power service territory while achieving competitive pricing. This spring the State of Delaware awarded a 3 year electricity supply contract to Talen Energy Marketing, LLC through a competitive bid process facilitated by Affinity Energy Management.

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,400 Partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies; small and medium sized businesses; local, state, and federal governments; and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.


Man Sentenced For Wilmington Shooting Death

Other Defendants Sentenced Or Convicted For Domestic Violence, Negligent Homicide, Weapons, Robbery


A 23-year-old Wilmington man was sentenced by a Superior Court judge to 25 years in prison for a murder in Wilmington. Deputy Attorneys General Steve Wood and Allison Abessinio obtained the sentence for RhiShawn McNeil. In January 2015, 26-year-old Donnell Clark was working outside of his home in the 900 block of East 17th Street in Wilmington, when McNeil, an acquaintance, approached and shot him several times. Clark was taken to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead. McNeil pled guilty to Murder 2nd Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

A 31-year-old Wilmington man will spend 33 years in prison after being sentenced in New Castle County Superior Court for Attempted Murder and other charges arising from a domestic violence incident. Deputy Attorneys General Renee Hrivnak and Cari Chapman secured the prison sentence for Krishan Dillard, 31, of Wilmington. In November 2014, Dillard entered the victims’ residence and attacked and repeatedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend in the neck, shoulder, arm, and abdomen. He also stabbed a juvenile who lived in the home on North Adams Street in Wilmington while a four-year-old child was present. Dillard pled guilty to Attempted Murder, Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and Reckless Endangering First Degree. Dillard had previously been declared to be a habitual offender and was again declared to be a habitual offender and sentenced as such as to the charge of Assault 2nd Degree. A Superior Court judge sentenced Dillard to a total of 33 years in prison, followed 6 months Level IV, then 1 year of Level III probation.

Deputy Attorneys General Sonia Augusthy and Marc Petrucci secured a conviction on multiple charges against Mikeal Stone, 22, of Newark. In February 2016, a vehicle failed to stop for an officer trying to stop him for speeding on I-95. The vehicle got away after a short chase through Ogletown, but a witness called 911 after seeing a driver pull behind a store in the 700 block of Ogletown Road, abandon his car, and throw a gun into the woods. Documents in the car and video surveillance from a convenience store across the street helped identify Stone. A jury convicted Stone on charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, Felony Disregarding a Police Signal, and Reckless Driving. Stone is still on probation from a Burglary Second Degree conviction. Stone faces a minimum prison sentence of at least 5 years when sentenced by the court.

Deputy Attorney General Zachary Rosen secured a conviction against John Williams, 38, of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. Acting on a tip in December 2015, State Police stopped Williams’s car on New Castle Avenue near I-295. Troopers arrested Williams after learning he failed to register his new Pennsylvania address in accordance with his sex offender supervision. A K9 search of Williams’s car discovered a handgun hidden under a rear seat. A jury convicted Williams, a habitual offender with multiple violent felonies on his record, of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited. Williams will be subject to a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years when sentenced in September.

Deputy Attorney General Julie Finocchiaro secured a plea in a case against Shawn McIlvain, 32, of New Castle for a string of robberies. Through May and June of 2015, McIlvain robbed the Market Place convenience store in the 1700 block of Wilmington Road in New Castle, the Exxon gas station in the 800 block of South College Avenue in Newark, Party Pizza in the 200 block of Boxwood Road in Wilmington, and the Dollar General Store in the 2400 block of Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. McIlvain pled guilty to two counts of Robbery First Degree, one count of Attempted Robbery First Degree, one count of Robbery Second Degree, one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, four counts of Wearing a Disguise, two counts of Conspiracy Second Degree and one count of Resisting Arrest. Because of a previous robbery first conviction, McIlvain will face a minimum mandatory sentence of 18 years in prison.

Deputy Attorney General Julie Finocchiaro secured a plea from Brian Adam, 50, of Wilmington to Robbery First Degree. In December 2015, Adam entered the Wells Fargo Bank in the 2000 block of Naamans Road in Wilmington, and gave the teller a note stating that Adam had a gun, and if the teller didn’t give him money, Adam would shoot him. Adam was identified through bank surveillance photos, and video from a nearby business. When sentenced in September, Adam faces a minimum mandatory 3-year prison term.


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Celebrating the Delaware State Fair

This week, for the final time as Governor I had the opportunity to attend our Delaware State Fair which for nearly a century has celebrated our vibrant agriculture community. It’s our state’s largest industry and, anchored by our 2,400 family farms, it generates tens of thousands of jobs and contributes 8 billion dollars to our economy. Our farmers lead the nation in the value of products produced per acre and their impact continues to grow. That success is on full display at the State Fair through thousands of exhibits, demonstrations, student agricultural projects and much more. They show that Delawareans of all ages are developing products, growing crops, and raising poultry and livestock that’s strengthening our food supply and making our lives better.

At this year’s Fair I visited with the next generation of farming families who, with the help of our Young Farmers Program, are able to purchase the homesteads that they’ll farm for years to come. Each one is enrolled in our farmland preservation program which this week celebrates its 20th anniversary. Thanks to the strong support of our agriculture community, we’ve leveraged this program to permanently preserve 120,000 acres for future generations of farming families.

I think the 300,000 visitors who come each year to take in the many sights and sounds, indulge in culinary favorites, and enjoy wholesome family entertainment will agree that the Delaware State Fair is among the best in the country. I am honored to pay tribute to the many dedicated staff and volunteers, 4-H and FFA students, and farming families who make the State Fair possible and who help us better appreciate the important role that agriculture plays here in Delaware. Their contributions drive our success today and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.


Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating the Delaware State Fair

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell celebrates the Delaware State Fair and discusses the important and growing role of agriculture in the First State.

“This week, for the final time as Governor I had the opportunity to attend our Delaware State Fair which for nearly a century has celebrated our vibrant agriculture community,” Governor Markell said. “I am honored to pay tribute to the many dedicated staff and volunteers, 4H and FFA students, and farming families who make the State Fair possible and who help us better appreciate the important role that agriculture plays here in Delaware. Their contributions drive our success today and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. And that will 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:

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Delaware.Gov:http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating the Delaware State Fair