Delaware News

DOJ secures conviction in armed rape case

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Newsroom | Date Posted: Tuesday, February 18, 2025


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A Smyrna man has been convicted of multiple felonies for the rape of a female relative.  

“These cases, while incredibly difficult for all involved, are profoundly important to our team at the Delaware Department of Justice as we work to exact justice for those who have experienced unimaginable terror, and in many cases, betrayal at the hands of someone they knew,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “I am grateful to our prosecutors and the Smyrna Police for their dedication in this case, and to the victims whose courage to come forward has no doubt protected others and made it possible to get this abuser off the streets.”
On May 31, 2024, James Wheeler – who had very recently left prison after serving a sentence for an assault conviction – held his victim at knifepoint and raped her. On February 7, the 35-year-old was convicted of Rape First Degree, Attempted Rape First Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony, Terroristic Threatening, and Aggravated Menacing by a Kent County jury.
Wheeler will be sentenced at a date to be determined; he faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 32 years and under Delaware law could receive multiple life sentences.
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DOJ secures conviction in armed rape case

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Newsroom | Date Posted: Tuesday, February 18, 2025


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

A Smyrna man has been convicted of multiple felonies for the rape of a female relative.  

“These cases, while incredibly difficult for all involved, are profoundly important to our team at the Delaware Department of Justice as we work to exact justice for those who have experienced unimaginable terror, and in many cases, betrayal at the hands of someone they knew,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “I am grateful to our prosecutors and the Smyrna Police for their dedication in this case, and to the victims whose courage to come forward has no doubt protected others and made it possible to get this abuser off the streets.”
On May 31, 2024, James Wheeler – who had very recently left prison after serving a sentence for an assault conviction – held his victim at knifepoint and raped her. On February 7, the 35-year-old was convicted of Rape First Degree, Attempted Rape First Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony, Terroristic Threatening, and Aggravated Menacing by a Kent County jury.
Wheeler will be sentenced at a date to be determined; he faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 32 years and under Delaware law could receive multiple life sentences.
image_printPrint

Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.