State Agencies Announce Substantial Reduction in Drug Overdose Deaths

NEW CASTLE – The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), and the Delaware Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed a substantial decrease in drug deaths in calendar year 2024, down nearly 36% from the previous year.

The total confirmed number of drug deaths in 2024 was 338, compared with 527 in 2023 and 537 in 2022. Suspected drug deaths are published on the DHSS My Healthy Community website. The DSHS Division of Forensic Science (DFS) publishes the confirmed count each quarter, based on toxicology analysis in the state laboratory that reviews post-mortem toxicology when a death is suspected to be drug related.

“Every life saved is a family kept whole, and this progress shows what’s possible when we lead with urgency, compassion, and real investment,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Delaware is proving that with the right partnerships and persistence, we can turn the tide of the opioid crisis. I’m proud of the work happening across our state, and we will keep fighting until every Delawarean has the chance to live a full, healthy life.”

Delaware’s dramatic drug death reduction follows suit with similar decreases both nationally and in surrounding regional states. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the latest 12-month analyses (November 2023 – November 2024) indicates a 26.5% decline nationally in drug overdose deaths. Only four states had an increase in deaths during this period. During the same period, death rates dropped in New Jersey by 32%, in Pennsylvania by 31%, in Maryland by 29%, in Virginia by 42%, in Washington, D.C. by 33%, and New York by 32%.

“The drop in drug deaths in Delaware, the region, and in most states nationally is encouraging, but we need people to recognize the danger of the filler substances in street drugs,” said DHSS Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) Director Joanna Champney. “Fentanyl is still a concern, but now we’re also very concerned with substances like medetomidine and other substances not meant for human consumption that can make people extremely sick and can result in death.”

State officials point to numerous factors for the decrease of drug deaths in Delaware, including wide-spread, targeted distribution of naloxone to high risk geographic areas; better access to addiction treatment and treatment navigation for people without insurance; changes in the way people are using drugs (less injection drug use, and more ingestion via smoking); widespread awareness and public health messaging campaigns about the dangers of opioids and information on how to access help; significant expansion of organizations trained to screen clients for opiate use disorder; expanding access to medications for opiate use disorder; and continued focus on previously incarcerated and unhoused individuals who are known to be at high risk for drug deaths.

Opioid overdoes were declared a Public Health Emergency in 2017 by President Trump and this designation remains in place. Overdose remains the leading national cause of death for Americans aged 18-44 in America.

Opioid abatement efforts such as the state’s Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission (POSDC), co-chaired by DSAMH Director Joanna Champney and Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, continue. The POSDC is set to award another $13 million in grants in June to continue supporting addiction response efforts.

“Every overdose is one too many, and we still have a long road ahead of us — but we are also seeing real progress,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “This is a staggering reduction in the opioid epidemic’s death toll and a testament to the dedication of our community groups, public health agencies, first responders, and state leaders who have prioritized this work. I am tremendously proud of our work to hold Big Pharma accountable for the devastation that the opioid crisis has wrought in our state, and I am in awe of the on-the-ground work that has made this progress possible. Our job now is to double down and keep up the pressure. We have some of the best people and organizations in the country devoted to this fight, and we will not rest until overdose deaths are eradicated in Delaware.”

DSAMH administers multiple Federal grants that support extensive addiction treatment and outreach. Funding supports state-run programs and services administered by community providers. The two largest grants are the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant ($38.5 million) and the (SUPTRS) grant ($12.8 million).

Delaware’s Behavioral Health Consortium (BHC), Chaired by Delaware Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay, said their efforts to continue advancing coordination and collaboration among state agencies treating addiction and mental health will continue.

“Delaware has taken strong, intentional steps to tackle the opioid crisis that has devastated communities across our state. And we’re seeing encouraging progress, thanks to the tireless commitment of our state agencies, healthcare professionals, advocates, and the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission (POSDC), who collectively ensure that Delaware communities have the resources they need to support those affected. The results being shared are promising, but we know there’s still more to do. We must continue advancing prevention and recovery efforts so that one day we can say Delaware has overcome this crisis. I’m proud to partner with our state’s health leaders to help make our shared vision of a healthier Delaware a reality,” said Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay

For more information about accessing addiction treatment, please visit https://www.helpisherede.com.

New Charges, Defendant Added To NorthPak Indictment

The Department of Justice has secured a reindictment adding a new defendant, and several charges against existing defendants, in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak.

“This reindictment is yet another product of the amazing work that prosecutors and police are doing to take down NorthPak,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are not simple cases. They are grueling, complicated investigations that involve multiple defendants, all too many victims, and layer upon layer of evidence and analysis. We are bringing more defendants – and more victims – closer to justice and we owe that to the dedication, teamwork, and ceaseless efforts of prosecutors and law enforcement.”

“The continued progress stemming from this indictment demonstrates the power of our multi-jurisdictional partnerships, and the tireless work of our investigators,” said Chief Robert J. Tracy. “As our community and state continue to see gun violence and firearm crime persist, we remain steadfast in our efforts to make our communities safer and hold these offenders responsible.”

The reindictment charges Isaiah Lecompte with three counts of Attempted Murder First Degree, four counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Illegal Gang Participation, Conspiracy First Degree, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. If convicted on all charges, Isaiah Lecompte faces a minimum prison sentence of 57 years and a maximum life sentence. Lecompte was apprehended by authorities in Texas and has been extradited to Delaware to face charges.

The reindictment further adds charges against existing defendants Deshonne Moore and Khalil Rodriguez-Fitzgerald. Moore faces additional charges of Attempted Murder First Degree, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. Rodriguez-Fitzgerald faces additional charges of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited.

The indictments were secured by Deputy Attorneys General Erika Flaschner, Joe Grubb, and AJ Hill, with an ongoing investigation led by Det. Justin Kane and Det. Tom Curley of Wilmington Police Department, and critical support from DOJ Criminal Intelligence Analyst/Investigator Dan Masi, Julia Bacon, Sarah Molaski, and DAG Paige Todaro.

New Charges, Defendant Added to NorthPak Indictment

The Department of Justice has secured a reindictment adding a new defendant, and several charges against existing defendants, in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak.

“This reindictment is yet another product of the amazing work that prosecutors and police are doing to take down NorthPak,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are not simple cases. They are grueling, complicated investigations that involve multiple defendants, all too many victims, and layer upon layer of evidence and analysis. We are bringing more defendants – and more victims – closer to justice and we owe that to the dedication, teamwork, and ceaseless efforts of prosecutors and law enforcement.”

“The continued progress stemming from this indictment demonstrates the power of our multi-jurisdictional partnerships, and the tireless work of our investigators,” said Chief Robert J. Tracy. “As our community and state continue to see gun violence and firearm crime persist, we remain steadfast in our efforts to make our communities safer and hold these offenders responsible.”

New Defendant Indicted in NorthPak Case

The Department of Justice has secured an indictment adding a new defendant in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak.

“Gun violence continues to devastate families in our state, and while the causes of that violence are legion we cannot address it without taking on gangs,” said Attorney General Jennings. “We believe that this group is responsible for a trail of destruction that has taken lives, terrorized our communities, and permanently traumatized families. They must be held to account, and we will continue to pursue justice against NorthPak on behalf of its victims and on behalf of the people of this state. I’m grateful to our team and to the detectives whose good work have made progress possible in this case.”

“The additional indictment and charges that we are announcing demonstrate the continuing nature of investigations like these – as well as the strength of our multi-jurisdictional partnerships and collaborations that we have with our partner law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies centered around addressing gun violence,” said Wilmington Police Chief Robert J. Tracy. “This also reflects the impact of our Group Violence Intervention initiative and the intensive, unyielding investigative efforts that have driven these indictments from the start. I hope the continued charges stemming from this investigation – and others – sends a clear and powerful message that gun violence will not be tolerated in our community.”

The indictment secured on Monday, November 8 charges a new defendant, Israel Lecompte, with 38 felonies including multiple murders:

Two counts of Murder 1^st Degree (Quinton Dorsey, Matima Miller)
Three counts of Robbery 1^st Degree
Ten counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Six counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Two counts of Carrying a Concealed Deadly weapon
Four counts of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
One count of Conspiracy 1^st Degree
One count of Illegal Gang Participation
Three counts of Conspiracy 2^nd Degree
One Count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Two counts of Conspiracy Second Degree
Three counts of Receiving Stolen Property (>$1,500)

Lecompte, 18, faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted on all charges.

AG Jennings Shuts Down Massive Charity Fraud Telefunding Operation

Defendants placed more than 1.3 billion deceptive fundraising calls claiming to support veterans, children, firefighters

The Delaware Department of Justice, along with the Federal Trade Commission and 46 agencies from 38 states and the District of Columbia, has stopped a massive telefunding operation that bombarded 67 million consumers with 1.3 billion deceptive charitable fundraising calls, mostly illegal robocalls. The defendants collected more than $110 million using their deceptive solicitations

“Delawareans are honest people who expect honesty in return,” said Attorney General Jennings. “I’m proud to live in a state of neighbors where we live by values of empathy and charity. ACS and other defendants shamelessly preyed on good people’s kindness and generosity and deceived millions of consumers into donating to sham causes. We’re holding them accountable with this settlement and will never tolerate this kind of conduct in our state.”

Associated Community Services (ACS) and related defendants have agreed to settle charges by the FTC and state agencies that they duped generous Americans into donating to charities that failed to provide the services they promised. The complaint names ACS and its sister companies Central Processing Services and Community Services Appeal; their owners, Dick Cole, Bill Burland, Barbara Cole, and Amy Burland; and ACS senior managers Nikole Gilstorf, Tony Lia, John Lucidi, and Scot Stepek. In addition, the complaint names two fundraising companies allegedly operated by Gilstorf and Lia as spin-offs of ACS, Directele, and The Dale Corporation.

“Deceptive charitable fundraising can be big business for scammers, especially when they use illegal robocalls,” said Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC and our state partners are prepared to hold fraudsters accountable when they target generous consumers with lies.”

According to the complaint, the defendants knew that the organizations for which they were fundraising spent little or no money on the charitable causes they claimed to support—in some cases as little as one-tenth of one percent. The defendants kept as much 90 cents of every dollar they solicited from generous donors on behalf of the charities. During the course of the Defendants’ conduct, 181,055 calls were made to Delawareans by Directele and its affiliates from January 2019 through August 2020. In violation of Delaware law, these entities were not registered to conduct telemarketing activities in Delaware.

The complaint alleges that the defendants made their deceptive pitches since at least 2008 on behalf of numerous organizations that claimed to support homeless veterans, victims of house fires, breast cancer patients, children with autism, and other causes that well-meaning Americans were enticed to support through the defendants’ high-pressure tactics. ACS was also the major fundraiser for the sham Cancer Fund charities that were shut down by the FTC and states in 2015.

In many instances, the complaint alleges, ACS and later Directele knowingly violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) by using soundboard technology in telemarketing calls. With that technology, an operator plays pre-recorded messages to consumers instead of speaking with them naturally. Use of such pre-recorded messages in calls to first time donors violates the TSR. Use of the technology in calls to prior donors also violates the TSR unless call recipients are affirmatively told about their ability to opt out of all future calls and provided a mechanism to do so; the defendants did not make that disclosure. Most of Directele’s soundboard calls originated from call centers in the Philippines and India.

The complaint also charges ACS with making harassing calls, noting that ACS called more than 1.3 million phone numbers more than ten times in a single week and 7.8 million numbers more than twice in an hour. More than 500 phone numbers were even called 5,000 times or more.

The ACS defendants were the subject of 20 prior law enforcement actions for their fundraising practices. The ACS defendants stopped operating in September 2019. Gilstorf purchased Directele and Dale Corp in October 2019 and, with Lia, the Directele defendants allegedly continued the deceptive fundraising and illegal telemarketing practices. The complaint alleges the defendants violated the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act, the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the Delaware Charitable/Fraternal Solicitation Act, the FTC Act, the TSR, and numerous other state laws.

The terms of the settlements with the defendants, which are now pending court approval, are as follows:

Associated Community Services Defendants

Each of these defendants will be permanently prohibited from conducting or consulting on any fundraising activities and from conducting telemarketing of any kind to sell goods or services. In addition, they will be prohibited from using any existing donor lists and from further violations of state charitable giving laws, as well as from making any misrepresentation about a product or service. The defendants will be also be subject to the following monetary judgments:

Associated Community Services, Inc.; Community Services, Inc.; Central Processing Services, Inc.; and Richard “Dick” Cole are subject to a monetary judgment of $110,063,843.
Community Services Appeal, Inc. and Barbara Cole are subject to a monetary judgment of $110,063,843. Barbara Cole also will be required to turn over the proceeds of the sale of a vacation home in Michigan.
Robert W. “Bill” Burland and Amy J. Burland are subject to a monetary judgment of $110,063,843.

Directele Defendants and ACS Senior Managers Scot Stepek and John Lucidi

Each of these defendants will be permanently prohibited from any fundraising work or consulting on behalf of any charitable organization or any nonprofit organization that claims to work on behalf of causes similar to those outlined in the complaint. They will also be prohibited from using robocalls for any form of telemarketing, using abusive calling practices, or making any misrepresentation about a product or service. In addition, the defendants will be required to clearly and conspicuously disclose when a donation they are requesting is not tax deductible.

In addition, the two corporate defendants—Directele Inc. and The Dale Corporation—will be required to cease operations and dissolve.

The defendants will also be subject to the following monetary judgments:

Scot Stepek will be subject to a monetary judgment of $110,063,843. Stepek will be required to sell a ski boat in his possession and turn over the net proceeds from the sale.
Directele Inc., The Dale Corporation, Nikole Gilstorf, and Antonio Lia will be subject to a monetary judgment of $1.6 million. Gilstorf and Lia also will be subject to a judgment of $110,063,843.
John Lucidi will be subject to a judgment of $110,063,843.

The funds being surrendered by the defendants will be paid to an escrow fund held by the State of Florida and, following a motion by the participating states and approval by the court, be contributed to one or more legitimate charities that support causes similar to those for which the defendants solicited.

The FTC has more information for consumers about charitable giving, including tips on how to spot sham charities at https://ftc.gov/charity. In addition, consumers are encouraged to let the FTC know about charity fraud, robocalls, and other consumer issues at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. This matter is being handled by the DOJ’s Fraud and Consumer Protection Division. Deputy Attorney General Oliver Cleary represented Delaware in this matter. Delawareans can find information from the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit, including how to report fraud or deceptive business practices, at de.gov/consumer.