Prison time in other cases for fraudulent pharmaceutical prescriptions, robbery and assault, illegal gun possession, and burglary

Casey Layton, 30, of Georgetown pled guilty this morning to the charge of Murder by Neglect in the First Degree in connection with the death in 2015 of her infant son Aiden Hundley. She was sentenced by a Superior Court judge to 15 years in prison. Layton and Aiden’s father, Doyle Hundley, were the sole care-takers for the baby. In May 2015, Layton and Hundley called 911 saying their son was unresponsive. An examination revealed the baby had multiple injuries in various stages of healing and was also severely malnourished. The child lived on life support for five months before dying in September 2015. Hundley pled guilty to Murder by Neglect First Degree in 2017. Deputy Attorneys General Melanie Withers and Michael Tipton prosecuted the case.

The leader of a forged prescription ring pled guilty to Solicitation of Multiple Prescription Drug Crimes, Theft Of Less Than $1,500, Forgery 2nd Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Unlawfully Obtaining Possession of a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Forgery, and Insurance Fraud. Annette Bryant, also known as Annette Scott, 49, of Philadelphia, was employed at a doctor’s office on Foulk Road in Wilmington from which she stole a blank prescription pad. Over the course of two months in 2017, Bryant conspired with numerous co-defendants to present more than 25 prescriptions in various pharmacies in New Castle County. The Solicitation of Multiple Prescription Drug Crimes charge hold accountable those that solicit, direct, hire, employ, or otherwise use one or more other people three or more times within a thirty day period to attempt to acquire or obtain controlled substances or prescription drugs by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, or deception. Bryant entered into a pre-indictment plea and was sentenced by a Superior Court judge to 1 year in prison, followed by probation. Other defendants in the case remain pending. Deputy Attorney General Barzilai Axelrod prosecuted the case and Paralegal Jessica Ascione assisted.

Deputy Attorney General Zachary Rosen secured a decade-long prison sentence for a 42-year-old Wilmington man, Gregory Murrell, a habitual offender who had 11 previous felonies. Murrell was sentenced by a Superior Court judge to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to Robbery 2nd Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and Resisting Arrest. In January 2017, Murrell attacked a loss prevention officer at a Shoprite store with a knife after being stopped shoplifting. Murrell was declared a habitual offender based on multiple previous convictions for Burglary, Attempted Burglary and Attempted Robbery. DOJ Social Worker Courtney Cochran assisted with the case.

Corey Williams, a 28-year-old Wilmington man, was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and sentenced to at least 5 years of jail time. Williams was caught with a loaded firearm when coming to collect a drug debt from a heroin addict at a residence in Wilmington in June 2017. He was sentenced to 15-years in prison sentence, which was suspended by a Superior Court judge to 5 years served followed by 1 year of probation.

At a recent trial, Julian Petty of New Castle was declared a habitual offender by a Superior Court judge and sentenced to 2 years in prison after convictions for Burglary 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief, and Theft. In November 2015, 49-year-old Petty unlawfully entered an Elks Lodge on East 13th Street in Wilmington. He climbed through a window, stole several items and damaged other property in the process of the crime. Petty was declared a habitual offender based on multiple convictions in New Jersey including Burglary, Robbery, and Drug Dealing. Deputy Attorney General Phillip Casale handled the case along with Wilmington Police Department Detective Jeffrey Dickerson, DOJ Social Worker Courtney Cochran and Special Investigator Willie Santiago.

Rape of child, home invasion punished with prison terms

Also: Home improvement contractor pleads guilty to multiple fraud charges

A Wilmington teenager received a 12-year in prison sentence for several shootings tied to gang activity. Elijah Crawford, 17, was sentenced by a Superior Court judge for his September guilty plea on two counts of Assault First Degree, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, one count of Possession of a Handgun by a Prohibited Juvenile, and one count of Gang Participation. Crawford, a member of the Shoot to Kill (STK) gang in Wilmington, was accused of shooting 5 people, including 4 other juveniles, in a gang dispute with the Only My Brothers (OMB) Gang in the summer of 2016. Crawford was sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 3 years of probation. The judge also imposed 55 years of back time on Crawford if he violates probation after his prison sentence. Deputy Attorney General Mark Denney prosecuted the case, with the assistance of Detective Devon Jones of the Wilmington Police Department.

Deputy Attorneys General Rebecca Anderson and Michael Tipton secured a guilty plea and prison sentence for the leader of a criminal organization operating in Kent and Sussex counties. A multi-jurisdictional effort dubbed Operation “Duck Hunt” targeted DeAngelo McGlotten, 32, of Millsboro as the man leading a group of friends engaged in large-scale heroin distribution and money laundering. In January 2016, search warrants on McGlotten’s home in Bridgeville and on a vehicle linked to him led to the seizure of 42,250 bags of heroin $7740 cash, a stolen 9 mm handgun, and a Marlin 30-30 rifle. The investigation into McGlotten and his organization continued with officials conducting a wiretap on phone lines belonging to McGlotten and several of his associates. As a result of the wiretaps, additional search warrants netted over $170,000 and more than a kilogram of heroin in May 2016. Additionally, numerous firearms, vehicles, and properties were seized in connection to the organization. McGlotten pled guilty to Racketeering, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Drug Dealing Tier II Heroin. A Superior Court judge immediately sentenced McGlotten, barred from having a gun because of prior felony convictions on drug and weapons charges, to 12 years in prison and then 18 months of probation.

A New Castle man faces at least 17 years in prison for his guilty plea to Murder Second Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony charges. Deputy Attorneys General Brian Robertson and Dominic Carrera, 54, secured the plea from Gregory Parker. In January 2016, Parker bludgeoned 47-year-old Shawn Spence to death inside the home that Parker formerly shared with his ex-girlfriend in the 900 block of Eider Court near New Castle. When sentenced by a judge in February, Parker faces 17 years to life in prison. New Castle County Police Department Detective Steven Burse spearheaded the investigation, and DOJ victim/witness specialist Crystal Pitts and Homicide Unit paralegal Jamie Prater assisted in the prosecution.

Deputy Attorney General Jenna Milecki secured a prison sentence for a 34-year-old New Castle man for raping a child. In summer 2016, Gemiyale Adkins sexually assaulted a young child. In September 2017, Adkins pled guilty to one count of Rape Second Degree and one count of Rape Fourth Degree in Superior Court. A judge sentenced Adkins to 25 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 10 years of probation. Adkins must also register as a Tier 3 sex offender. DOJ social worker Claudia Melton assisted with the case.

Deputy Attorney General Phillip Casale secured a prison sentence for Kysheem Byrd, 25, of Chester, PA in connection with a home invasion. In June 2016, Byrd and another man, armed with guns, broke into a home in the 2100 block of London Way in Newark. In September 2017, Byrd pled guilty to charges of Home Invasion, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Conspiracy Second Degree. A Superior Court judge sentenced Byrd to 9 years in prison followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then one year of probation. DOJ social worker Kristen Fluharty-Emory assisted on the case.

A 50-year old Middletown man faces up to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to 4 counts of Home Improvement Fraud and 4 counts of Theft. The felony pleas came in connection with a series of home improvement frauds involving at least 16 victims and approximately $300,000 in losses in southern New Castle County and northern Kent County. Mario W. Mareno, 50, was first arrested in May 2016 by the First State Fugitive Task Force on outstanding warrants for Home Improvement Fraud from the Delaware State Police, the New Castle County Police, and the Middletown Police Department. Following arrest and release on bail, Mareno disappeared from the state, but law enforcement located him in Forsyth, North Carolina, and he was extradited back to Delaware. An investigation found that in 2015 and 2016 Mareno solicited and corresponded with victims via Facebook, text messages, and email. Mareno would get victims to make large up-front payments, supposedly to obtain required permits and purchase materials and supplies, and then never substantially complete the work. In some cases, victims discovered that Mareno did not obtain permits or purchase materials as represented, and he manufactured evidence purporting to show that delays and problems were the fault of other people, including victims themselves. In addition to pleading guilty to Home Improvement Fraud and Theft, Mareno will be ordered to provide restitution to all victims, and will, upon his release from prison, be prohibited from working, advertising, or otherwise offering any type of construction services, including home improvement services, in the State of Delaware. Sentencing will take place on December 12. Deputy Attorneys General Christian Douglas Wright, Gillian Andrews, and Shaun Michael Kelly prosecuted the case, with assistance from CPU Chief Special Investigator Alan Rachko and paralegal Angela Williams.

A 41-year-old Wilmington man faces at least 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to weapons charges. Deputy Attorney General Allison Abessinio secured the plea from Robert Johnson. During a fight in September 2016, Johnson stabbed 57-year-old Carl Huggins multiple times in his home in the 400 block of North Church Street in Wilmington. The two had argued earlier in the day. Johnson pled guilty to Assault First Degree and two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. A Superior Court judge will sentence Johnson in December and faces 6 to 75 years.

Deputy Attorneys General Anna Currier, Barzilai Axelrod, and William Leonard secured a guilty plea from John Trotter, 42, of Wilmington, after his arrest following an investigation into heroin sales. Paralegal Bridgitt Martin assisted in the case as well. In August 2016, police arrested Trotter when a New Castle County Police SWAT team executed a search warrant at his home in the 200 block of Clyde Street in Wilmington. Earlier that summer, police observed Trotter sell heroin to an informant. Trotter pled guilty to Drug Dealing Tier 4 Heroin, Conspiracy Second Degree, and Possession of a Destructive Weapon. Trotter also pled guilty to Assault Second Degree for a July 2016 arrest for punching his girlfriend during an argument. Social Worker Stacey Murphy assisted with the July 2016 case. Trotter faces between 2 and 40 years when sentenced by a Superior Court judge in December.

Deputy Attorney General Anna Currier secured a prison sentence for a Wilmington man for his plea to robbery and weapons charges. Throughout the summer of 2016, Michael Watson, 29, stole several firearms from his father. In September of that year, Watson robbed the Valero gas station in the 800 block of South Dupont Highway in New Castle, threatening the clerk with a knife. Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sheridan secured a guilty plea from Watson in Superior Court in August 2017 to Robbery First Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Robbery Second Degree and Theft of a Firearm. A judge sentenced Watson to 5 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either work release or home confinement, then 2 ½ years of probation.

A 50-year-old Smyrna man was sentenced to prison and must register as a Tier II sex offender in relation to child pornography charges. In February 2017, members of the Child Predator Task Force conducted a search warrant at Michael Dennis’s home, and found images of children involved in prohibited sexual acts as defined by Delaware law. Dennis pled guilty in August to 2 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography and 2 counts of Possession of Child Pornography. A Superior Court judge sentenced Dennis to serve 6 years in prison, followed by 3 years of probation.

Other defendants face prison time for assault and escape charges

Deputy Attorneys General Kelly Sheridan and Jamie McCloskey secured a guilty plea from a 30-year-old Middletown man for robbery and weapons charges. From 2016 to 2017, police believe Brandon Dixon and an accomplice robbed multiple businesses throughout New Castle County armed with guns. Dixon pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, two counts of Robbery Second Degree, Conspiracy Second Degree and a Violation of Probation. Dixon is facing a minimum of 25 years in prison if declared a habitual offender at the time of sentencing in December, based on previous convictions for weapon and burglary charges.

A 28-year-old Wilmington man faces a minimum of 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to an assault last year. In December 2016, Wilmington Police responded to a call regarding an assault with a tire iron at Celebrations nightclub and restaurant located on South Market Street. Video surveillance of the attack led police to Alphonso Williams. Deputy Attorney General Christina Kontis secured the plea from Alphonso Williams to Assault Second Degree and Conspiracy Second Degree. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 4 years in prison when sentenced in December if he is declared a habitual offender as a result of previous convictions for weapons, drug dealing and theft. Lisa Loikith, a paralegal, and Crystal Pitts, social worker, assisted Deputy Attorney General Kontis with the case.

Deputy Attorney General Matthew Bloom secured a guilty plea from a habitual offender on the charge of Escape After Conviction. Wayne L. Williams Jr., 46, escaped from the Plummer Work Release Center to travel to New Jersey and fight his former girlfriend’s boyfriend, but caused no injuries to the boyfriend. Williams has a prior conviction for Escape and multiple Robbery convictions. Sentencing in the matter was deferred.

Deputy Attorney General Allison Abessinio secured a guilty plea to a weapons charge from a Wilmington man. Brandon Gibson, 27, pled to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited in Superior Court. In March 2017, Wilmington Police officers on patrol in the 400 block of West 7th Street noticed Gibson talking to people inside a parked car. Gibson walked away as police approached, and purposely dropped a loaded .40 caliber handgun as he left. Gibson, barred from having a gun because of previous convictions for Assault and Robbery, faces a minimum mandatory 15-year prison term when sentenced as a habitual offender later this year.

A 20-year-old from Wilmington will spend the next 5 years in prison and is now classified as a habitual offender after pleading guilty to a gun charge. Deputy Attorney General John Taylor secured the plea to one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited from Teyquahn Teagle. Responding to a call about a man with a gun driving in the city in June 2017, Wilmington Police stopped a car in the 3400 block of Locust Street. Though denying he had a gun, when Teagle agreed to a search, officers found a loaded handgun in his waistband. Teagle, who is prohibited from having a gun due to a 2016 conviction for Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, was immediately sentenced by a judge to 5 years in prison, followed by 18 months of probation.

A short police chase along I-95 north of Wilmington has led to an Iowa man to be sentenced to prison on drug, weapons, and traffic charges. In April 2015, a Delaware State Trooper attempted to stop a car driven by Eric Simmons, 42, of Des Moines, IA, along I-95 near the Marsh Road exit. Simmons initially made it seem like he was going to pull off of the highway, but failed to pull over and then continued to travel another two miles before finally stopping. The Trooper found a total of 40.75 grams of heroin in the car, along with 4 grams of marijuana, items used to package and distribute heroin, and a box with handgun ammunition. A Superior Court jury convicted Simmons of Drug Dealing (Tier 4 quantity of heroin), Aggravated Drug Possession (Tier 5 quantity of heroin), Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disregarding a Police Officer Signal, Turning Without Use of a Turn Signal, and Driving Without an Insurance Card. The jury could not reach a verdict on two weapons charges, but Simmons pled guilty to a single Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. A Superior Court judge sentenced Simmons, a habitual offender, to 10 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 1 year of probation. Deputy Attorney General Barzilai Axelrod prosecuted the case.