DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest Frederica couple for theft and commercial crabbing violations

Patricia Ewing

Matthew Ewing

FREDERICA – An investigation by DNREC’s Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers into multiple complaints of theft and commercial crabbing violations resulted in the arrests today of a Frederica couple. The couple was arrested for tending crabs pots belonging to another commercial crabber, stealing crabs out of the pots, and selling the crabs for profit.

Matthew Ewing, 35, a licensed Delaware commercial crabber, was charged with one count each of theft under $1,500 and conspiracy in the third degree, and 22 counts each of lifting a commercial crab pot belonging to another commercial fisherman and unlawful take of shellfish.

Patricia Ewing, 35, was arrested for one count each of theft under $1,500.00 and conspiracy in the third degree, and 22 counts of unlawful take of shellfish.

Both Matthew and Patricia Ewing were arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover. Matthew Ewing was released on a $2,300 unsecured bond and Patricia Ewing was released on a $1,100 unsecured bond pending future court appearances in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

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Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell 302-382-7167, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 239


Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Aug. 20-26

Reminder for the week: Have a safe Labor Day weekend on Delaware waterways

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Aug. 20-26 made 3,034 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 41 citations. Officers responded to 83 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

  • On Aug. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during a National Wildlife Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited Family Picnic near Odessa.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (6), possession of undersized blue crabs (9), possession of undersized tautog (1), possession of undersized black seabass (1), possession of undersized flounder (1), possession of flounder parts (1), possession of undersize white perch (1), and no F.I.N. (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: No throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet or longer (2), careless operation of a motor vessel (1), no flares on board (1), operating an unregistered vessel (2), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), and no boater safety certificate (1).

Public Safety: Public intoxication (1)*, failure to use turn signal (1)*, and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3)*, and littering on a state wildlife area (2).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

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.

Are you AWARE?
For the Labor Day weekend, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that drinking and boating don’t mix and that boat operators found to have blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher will face charges for operating a vessel under the influence for putting themselves, their passengers, and other boaters at risk.

Other tips for recreational boaters to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend include:

  • Exercise patience and courtesy at crowded boat ramps and docks.
  • Observe all Slow No Wake areas.
  • Maintain a lookout for other vessels and keep a safe distance away.
  • Avoid traveling at unsafe speeds, including in congested areas.
  • Make sure children 12 and younger are wearing life jackets while underway as required by law.
  • Check navigation lights and make sure to turn them on when operating at night.

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, please visit Delaware Boating Safety.

To report boating violations or accidents please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913


Life Sentences for Two Men Involved in Dover Shootout

Also life term for 2014 Wilmington murder; Others face prison for child pornography and burglary convictions. 

A 2017 fatal shootout in Dover has led to life sentences for two Maryland men. A Superior Court jury in April 2018 convicted Guy Jones, 28, and DePaul Wilson, 37, both of Worton, MD, of Murder First Degree, Murder Second Degree, Attempted Robbery First Degree, 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count of Conspiracy Second Degree for the killing of 31-year-old Javan Cale. In January 2017, Jones and Wilson went to Cale’s home in the Clearfield Apartments in Dover to rob him. Cale tried to fight and the three men exchanged gunfire. Cale died as the result of three gunshots, while Jones and Wilson, both shot numerous times, survived their injuries. A judge sentenced both Jones and Wilson to life plus 30 years in prison. Deputy Attorneys General Stephen Welch and Sean Motoyoshi prosecuted the case with assistance from, paralegal Sue Balik, victims services social worker Kerry McElwee, special investigator Pete Fraley, and administrative assistants Donna Harris, Samantha Huey and Chenelle Carroll. Detective Nate Warren of the Dover Police Department was the chief investigating officer.

A Superior Court judge sentenced a 29-year-old Wilmington man to spend the rest of his life in prison for a 2014 murder in Wilmington. Deputy Attorney General Matthew Frawley secured the sentence for Demonte Johnson. In the early evening of May 27, 2014, Alphonso Boyd, 28, returned to the 1100 block of Conrad Street where he lived. After talking to people in the area, he approached Johnson and the two began to argue. Johnson produced a .32 caliber semi-automatic firearm and shot Boyd in the back as Boyd attempted to flee. In February 2018, a Superior Court jury convicted Johnson of Murder First Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. The Court sentenced Johnson, barred from having a gun because of a previous robbery conviction, to life plus 25 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either work release or home confinement. Detective Tom Curley of the Wilmington Police Department investigated the case along with DOJ investigators Brian Daly, John Ciritella and Cliff Dempsey. Social worker Courtney Cochran, paralegal Stacey Coupe and Gary Taylor, director of the DOJ Victim/Witness Assistance Program, also worked on the case.

Deputy Attorney General William Leonard secured a prison sentence for Nate Marsh, 38, of Wilmington, for his role in break-ins throughout New Castle County. In March 2018, a Superior Court jury convicted Marsh of Burglary Second Degree, 2 counts of Conspiracy Second Degree, Theft, and Criminal Mischief. During the summer of 2017, Marsh broke into homes taking items including televisions, video game systems, and money. Because of previous convictions on robbery, assault, and reckless endangering charges, a judge sentenced Marsh a habitual offender to 9 years in prison, followed by 18 months of probation. The judge also ordered Marsh to pay restitution of $3,800. The chief investigating officer was John Mancuso of the New Castle County Police, with social worker Kristen Fluharty-Emory and paralegal Donna Lee assisting with the prosecution.

A 40-year-old Millsboro man will spend time in prison and register as a sex offender after his sentencing on child pornography charges. In December 2017, officers conducting an online investigation traced a pornographic video file that was being shared with other users to a device in Millsboro. Armed with a search warrant a few weeks later, police arrested Steve Zazanis II and confiscated his cellphone, which contained images of child pornography. In June 2018, Zazanis pled guilty to 2 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography. A Superior Court judge sentenced Zazanis, who will register as a Tier 2 sex offender, to 4 years in prison followed by 8 years of probation. The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Child Predator Task Force.

A guilty plea to a 2017 burglary has led to a prison sentence as a habitual offender for a Wilmington man. Deputy Attorney General Monil Amin secured the sentence for 33-year-old George Lacey. In August 2017, just after getting off probation for a weapons conviction, Lacey used a brick to smash the glass of the rear door of a home under renovation in the 700 block of Kirkwood Street in Wilmington and stole a kitchen light fixture. In May 2018, Lacey pled guilty to Burglary Third Degree and Conspiracy Second Degree. Because of previous felony convictions on drug, weapons, and burglary charges, a Superior Court judge sentenced Lacey to 4 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 1 year of probation.


Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination Launches new website

The Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) is proud to unveil our redesigned website Friday, August 31, 2018. This redesign improves the way information is delivered to citizens, developers and municipal stakeholders. A key objective of the redesigned site is to enable users to access our information from any device (PC, mobile phone, or tablet). The new website includes a GIS based tool for searching and finding Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS) project information which significantly improves the user’s experience. Also included in the redesign is a Comprehensive Plan Database which provides links to documents related to the adopted and certified comprehensive plans and plan amendments from all local jurisdictions. Please visit the new OSPC website to learn more about the office and services we offer.

 


DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and Fort Miles Historical Association announce construction of new amenities at fort to begin Sept. 4

The logo for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ControlLEWES – DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Fort Miles Historical Association (FMHA), will begin construction on a new outdoor event and programming venue at the Fort Miles Museum and historical area beginning Sept. 4.
The overlook at the top of the park’s bike trail will be closed during the two-month construction period. However, the main bike trail, the cantonment area, Tower 3, and the artillery park will remain open. The timing of the construction was determined by the Division of Parks & Recreation to have the least impact on visitors’ experiences, events and programming.

The construction is the result of fundraising by FMHA, which includes foundation grants totaling more than $600,000 from the Longwood Foundation and the Crystal Trust. The venue work will be followed by a new entrance and parking lot for the Fort Miles Museum, along with accessibility upgrades. That work will begin in the fall.

The work is a continuation of a series of projects spearheaded by FMHA, totaling more than $1 million in public and private investment over the last eight years, to enhance the experience of visitors to historic Fort Miles.

For more information, contact the Division of Parks & Recreation’s Operations Section at 302-739-9200.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 238