Drugs, Weapons, Attempted Rape and Robbery Cases Also Resolved
A 20-year old Wilmington man will go to prison for attacking an off-duty police officer. Deonta Sanchez pled guilty to Attempted Robbery First Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy Second Degree in a case prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Zachary Rosen. In July 2017, an off-duty New Castle County Police officer was leaving church in the 300 Block of North Van Buren Street when he was attacked by Sanchez and 3 other people. Investigation suggested that the attackers knew the victim was an off-duty officer when they attempted to rob him. Sanchez punched the officer and tried to get his gun during the altercation. Sanchez faces 6 to 52 years in prison when sentenced by a Superior Court judge in June. DOJ social worker Courtney Cochran and paralegal Jess Ascione worked on the case, and Matt Geiser of the Wilmington Police Department was the chief investigating officer.
A former member of the Only My Brothers (OMB) gang pled guilty to drug and weapons charges, along with violating his probation on previous Gang Participation, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, and Aggravated Menacing convictions. In January 2018, police arrested Stephan Minus, 18, of Wilmington, when he tried to flee from the probation officers doing a home visit. A search of Minus’s home turned up drugs and a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Minus pled guilty to Drug Dealing Heroin and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and the probation violation. A Superior Court judge sentenced Minus to 5 years in prison, followed by 18 months of probation. Deputy Attorney General Mark Denney prosecuted the case.
A 38-year old habitual offender faces at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Rape Second Degree and Assault Second Degree. In April 2017, Joseph Snow of New Castle approached a woman sitting on the ground at a bus stop in the 800 of North King Street in Wilmington, and attempted to force her to perform a sex act on him. When the woman refused, he began to choke her and punch her in the face. The assault continued until the crew of an off-duty ambulance that was driving by saw and stopped the attack. Snow, considered a habitual offender due to past convictions on weapons, rioting, and reckless endangering charges, faces 25 years to life in prison when sentenced by a Superior Court judge in July. Deputy Attorney General Jenna Milecki prosecuted the case, Lisa Rapko was the social worker, and Jayna Quillen was the paralegal.
A plea to 6 felony charges could lead to an extended prison term for a 35-year-old Wilmington man. Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sheridan secured the plea from Brandon Brown. In early 2017, Brown stole thousands of dollars’ worth of cigarettes and other items from several convenience stores throughout New Castle County. Brown pled guilty to Wearing a Disguise, Aggravated Menacing, Robbery Second Degree, 2 counts of Burglary Third Degree, and Conspiracy Second Degree. Due to previous felony convictions on drug and weapons charges, a Superior Court judge will sentence Brown in June as a habitual offender to at least 10 years in prison. DOJ paralegal Julie Caputo and social worker Crystal Pitts worked on the case, and Delaware State Police Detective Christian Hevelow was the chief investigator.