Delaware News

Camden Mayor Pleads Guilty, Agrees To Resign Over His Actions At Car Wash

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2023


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Prosecutors have secured three convictions against Camden Mayor Justin King over a physical confrontation he began with two victims, as well as his subsequent lack of candor with investigators.

King, 41, was until recently the mayor of Camden, Delaware and owns several businesses in the area. On February 25, King confronted two male victims, both 19, whom he claimed had been causing mischief at his car wash. King shoved the victims and, at one point, pulled on a victim’s hoodie while he was on the ground. The victims sustained minor injuries.

Camden Police Department responded to the incident and issued the initial police report. Recognizing the potential for the appearance of impropriety given King’s elected position, Camden PD subsequently referred the case to the DOJ and fully cooperated with the remainder of the investigation.

On Tuesday morning, King pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct and pleaded no contest to Offensive Touching, both of which are unclassified misdemeanors.

King also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Hindering Prosecution after it was discovered that he suppressed evidence with the intent to prevent, hinder or delay the lodging of a criminal charge by changing the retention time and overwriting potential video surveillance evidence.

“Nobody is above the law or beneath justice,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “The problem with the defendant’s behavior is not just the charges themselves, but his troubling and frankly embarrassing display of aggression, irresponsibility, and disregard for the law. His decision to physically confront two teenagers was senselessly aggressive, and he is extremely lucky that the victims’ injuries were not more severe. As if that were not bad enough, he then almost immediately stonewalled the subsequent investigation. Mr. King’s actions and lack of self-control are not the behavior of a grownup, and certainly not the mayor of a town.”

Under the plea, King agrees to serve one year of probation; pay a $500 fine; abide by a no contact order with the victims; and resign his office as mayor. King’s plea was secured by Deputy Attorneys General Caroline Brittingham and Becky Anderson, following an investigation initiated by Camden Police Department and led by the Department of Justice’s Pete Fraley.

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Camden Mayor Pleads Guilty, Agrees To Resign Over His Actions At Car Wash

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2023


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

Prosecutors have secured three convictions against Camden Mayor Justin King over a physical confrontation he began with two victims, as well as his subsequent lack of candor with investigators.

King, 41, was until recently the mayor of Camden, Delaware and owns several businesses in the area. On February 25, King confronted two male victims, both 19, whom he claimed had been causing mischief at his car wash. King shoved the victims and, at one point, pulled on a victim’s hoodie while he was on the ground. The victims sustained minor injuries.

Camden Police Department responded to the incident and issued the initial police report. Recognizing the potential for the appearance of impropriety given King’s elected position, Camden PD subsequently referred the case to the DOJ and fully cooperated with the remainder of the investigation.

On Tuesday morning, King pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct and pleaded no contest to Offensive Touching, both of which are unclassified misdemeanors.

King also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Hindering Prosecution after it was discovered that he suppressed evidence with the intent to prevent, hinder or delay the lodging of a criminal charge by changing the retention time and overwriting potential video surveillance evidence.

“Nobody is above the law or beneath justice,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “The problem with the defendant’s behavior is not just the charges themselves, but his troubling and frankly embarrassing display of aggression, irresponsibility, and disregard for the law. His decision to physically confront two teenagers was senselessly aggressive, and he is extremely lucky that the victims’ injuries were not more severe. As if that were not bad enough, he then almost immediately stonewalled the subsequent investigation. Mr. King’s actions and lack of self-control are not the behavior of a grownup, and certainly not the mayor of a town.”

Under the plea, King agrees to serve one year of probation; pay a $500 fine; abide by a no contact order with the victims; and resign his office as mayor. King’s plea was secured by Deputy Attorneys General Caroline Brittingham and Becky Anderson, following an investigation initiated by Camden Police Department and led by the Department of Justice’s Pete Fraley.

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.