Robbery, burglary, forgery, patient abuse cases also resolved

A 2017 shooting in Laurel left an 18-year-old dead, and will lead to prison for the 19-year-old shooter. Deputy Attorneys General Casey L. Ewart and Kevin Gardner secured a guilty plea to Manslaughter, 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree in the case of Stephon Jackson of Laurel. In January 2017, Jackson shot and killed Mekell Horsey while at the Wexford Village Apartment Complex on Sunset Drive in Laurel. Jackson faces a minimum sentence of 11 years in prison when sentenced by a Superior Court judge later this year, with a maximum possible sentence of 105 years. Detective Jon King of the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit was the lead investigator, while DOJ social worker Laurel Braunstein and administrative specialist Angelique Waters assisted with the prosecution of the case.

Two men responsible for robbing multiple businesses throughout New Castle County armed with guns received prison sentences from a Superior Court judge. In September 2017, Brandon Dixon, 30, of Middletown, pled guilty to two counts of Robbery Second Degree, Conspiracy Second Degree, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and a Violation of Probation. The Court sentenced Dixon as a habitual offender because of previous violent felony convictions for robbery, burglary and weapons offenses to 25 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 2 years of probation. Darius Johns, 27, of Wilmington pled guilty in October 2017 to Robbery First Degree, Robbery Second Degree, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Conspiracy Second Degree. Johns, also a habitual offender for robbery and weapons convictions, received a sentence of 20 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 2 years of probation. Deputy Attorneys General Jamie McCloskey and Kelly Sheridan prosecuted the cases. Detective Anthony Tenebruso investigated the case for the State Police, while Detectives Joseph Womer and Julia Fabbroni investigated the cases for Middletown PD. Paralegal Lisa Loikith and Social Workers Meghan Fisher and Courtney Cochran also worked on this case.

A 37-year-old habitual offender could face at least 8 years in prison after his burglary conviction by a Superior Court jury. Deputy Attorney General William Leonard secured a conviction for Nathaniel Marsh of Wilmington to Burglary Second Degree, 2 counts of Conspiracy Second Degree, Theft Greater Than $1500, and Criminal Mischief Less Than $1000. In July 2017, Marsh took part in a burglary in the 100 block Talbot Drive in New Castle, breaking in through a window and taking items including large screen televisions, video game system, and collector’s coins. A habitual offender due to previous violent felony convictions for robbery, assault, and reckless endangering, Marsh faces 8 years to life in prison when sentenced by the court later this year.

Deputy Attorney General Kate Keller secured a guilty plea to forgery and falsifying records from a 44-year-old Smyrna woman who was working at the Delaware Psychiatric Center as a certified nursing assistant. Daniella Seneus pled guilty to Forgery Third Degree and Falsification of Business Records. In December 2016, Seneus, a certified nursing assistant, falsely indicated on an record that she had performed her required 15 minute face checks on a resident when she had not. That resident was found dead of a medical condition the next morning, and no foul play was involved. A Superior Court judge sentenced Seneus to one year of probation on each charge. Seneus will also be referred to the Adult Abuse Registry. Detective Dave Myers from Delaware State Police investigated the case.

A 50-year-old working as a security guard at the Delaware Psychiatric Center pled no contest to Patient Abuse for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a DPC resident. Deputy Attorney General Kate Keller secured the plea from John Fraim of Wilmington. Fraim made unwanted advances over the course of 2 months during the summer of 2017. A Superior Court judge sentenced Fraim to one year of probation. In addition, Fraim will be referred to the Adult Abuse Registry. Detective Amy Lloyd of Delaware State Police handled the investigation.

Print