Other defendants face prison time for human trafficking, robbery, firearm, and drug crimes

A 20-year-old Wilmington man faces at least 10 years in prison for his guilty plea on charges stemming from a 2017 shooting. Deputy Attorneys General Zachary Rosen and Michael Cooksey secured the plea from Rahe Walker. In July 2017, Walker, along with two others, shot up a house in the 2400 block of North Madison Street in Wilmington, hitting two people who lived in the home. Walker pled guilty to two counts of Assault in the First Degree, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree. Walker faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and up to 102 years when sentenced by a Superior Court judge later this year. DOJ social worker Courtney Cochran and investigator Guillermo Santiago also worked on the case.

A 35-year-old Smyrna woman will go to prison for her part in human trafficking a 16-year-old girl in the Dover area. A Superior Court judge sentenced Jessica Hutkin to 2 years in prison, followed by 1 year of work release then 2 years of probation. In October 2017, Hutkin pled guilty to Human Trafficking of a Minor and Conspiracy Second Degree. Hutkin was one of five defendants arrested in May 2017 for their involvement in the trafficking of a 16-year-old girl in the Dover area. In addition to prison time and probation, Hutkin must register as a Tier II sex offender. Donnell Singletary, 33, of Dover pled guilty and was also sentenced to two years in prison previously for Human Trafficking of a Minor and Conspiracy Second Degree, and other defendants in the case are awaiting sentencing. Deputy Attorney General Periann Doko secured the prison sentence.

A 31-year old New Castle man faces at least five years in prison when sentenced for the robbery of a New Castle convenience store. Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sheridan secured a guilty plea from Santos Banks to Robbery Second Degree, Wearing a Disguise, and Aggravated Menacing. In August 2017, Banks, with his face covered by a black cloth, walked into a store in the 100 block of Christiana Road, displayed what was believed to be a handgun, and demanded cash. Because of previous felony convictions for Rape, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and Theft, a Superior Court judge will sentence Banks as a habitual offender, meaning he can receive between five years and life in prison. DOJ social worker Crystal Pitts and paralegal Julie Caputo assisted on the case.

A 2017 traffic stop in Wilmington led to police finding a hidden gun, and a guilty plea from a 32-year-old Wilmington man. In April 2017, police on patrol in the area of North Market and 26th Streets stopped a car driven by Ryan Perez after it ran a red light. A search of the vehicle turned up a 9mm semi-automatic handgun hidden in the dashboard behind the glove department. Perez pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. Perez, barred from having a gun because of previous violent felony convictions for Resisting Arrest, faces at least 10 years in prison when sentenced by a Superior Court judge later this year. Deputy Attorney General Zachary Rosen prosecuted the case.

Deputy Attorneys General Anna Currier, Barzilai Axelrod, and William Leonard secured an 8-year prison sentence for a 42-year-old Wilmington man who pled guilty last year in a domestic violence case and for his role in a drug distribution ring. In July 2016, John Trotter was arrested following a dispute over drugs and money with his live-in girlfriend. During the dispute, the defendant punched his girlfriend in the stomach, breaking two of her ribs and puncturing her lung. In August 2016, Trotter was arrested on numerous drug charges based on his role in the distribution of heroin throughout the Wilmington community of Belvedere. Trotter pled guilty in October 2017 to Assault Second Degree, Drug Dealing, Possession of a Destructive Weapon, and Conspiracy Second Degree. A Superior Court judge sentenced Trotter to 8 years in prison followed by 2 years of probation. DOJ social worker Stacey Murphy supported the victim in the domestic assault case.

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