Brothers From Dover Sentenced to Prison For Drug Activity

Others sentenced for home improvement fraud, rape, assault, and robbery

Following are recent results obtained in cases pursued by the attorneys, investigators and staff of the Delaware Department of Justice:

Two brothers both received significant prison sentences for their roles as main players in a group selling drugs out of the Capitol Park neighborhood near Dover. Thirty-year-old Jermaine Brinkley, 30 was charged after a Delaware State Police wiretap investigation, which occurred in late 2014 and early 2015. Brinkley pled guilty to five counts of Drug Dealing, two counts of Aggravated Possession, and one count of Conspiracy Second Degree. Brinkley was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison, followed by 1 year of Level IV work release, and 18 months Level III probation. Brinkley’s 26-year-old brother George pled guilty to four counts of Drug Dealing, one count of Conspiracy Second Degree, and one count of Resisting Arrest. George Brinkley was sentenced to a total of 8 ½ year in prison, followed by 18 months of Level III probation. Deputy Attorney General Lindsay Taylor handled both cases.

Brett Johnson, 33, of Magnolia, pled guilty to six counts of felony home improvement fraud. Throughout 2015, Johnson repeatedly took deposits from people for home improvement projects, and then never returned to complete the work. Superior Court Judge T. Henley Graves sentenced Johnson to two years at Level V suspended, and one year at Level II for each of the counts. Judge Graves also ordered full restitution to the nine victims, all of whom were senior citizens, in the amount of $11,554.75, and he imposed a restriction on future employment so that Mr. Johnson cannot be employed as a contractor ever again. Deputy Attorney General Jill Remming secured the sentences.

A Newport News, Virginia man will spend nine years in prison for rape. Deputy Attorney General Jan van Amerongen secured the sentence for 46-year old Gerald Griffin. In late 2014, Griffin raped a young woman with intellectual disabilities in her mother’s home in Wilmington. Griffin, a registered tier three sex offender, pled guilty to Rape Fourth Degree, and was sentenced by Judge Wallace to 15 years at Level V, suspended after 9 years, for 6 years at Level IV, suspended after 6 months, for 2 years of Level III probation.

Deputy Attorney General Jan van Amerongen secured a plea from Mingo Smalls, 21, of Newark to one count of Rape Fourth Degree. In February 2013, Smalls, then 18-years-old, had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old eighth grader. Following a presentence investigation ordered by Judge Abigail LeGrow, Smalls will be sentenced in September.

Deputy Attorney General Cari Chapman secured a plea from Michael Ford, 37, of Wilmington, to Assault Second Degree. During an argument in December 2015, Ford punched his 62-year old mother in the face while he was on probation. As part of his plea, Ford defendant admitted his violation of probation, and agreed to serve four years in prison. Sentencing will take place later this month before Judge Jurden.

Deputy Attorney General Casey Ewart secured a prison sentence for Qadir Gardner, 18, of Norristown, Pennsylvania. In July 2015, Gardner, armed with a handgun, stole a man’s Toyota Prius from the Starbucks on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. Gardner pled guilty to Carjacking 1st, Robbery 2nd, and Conspiracy 2nd. Judge Bradley sentenced the Gardner to three years in prison, and the successful completion of the Key Program, followed by the Level IV Crest Program, then two years of Level III probation with Crest Aftercare.


Home Improvement Contractor Arrested for Defrauding Delaware Homeowners

Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit asks other potential victims to come forward

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit announced that a New Castle County-based contractor faces criminal charges for defrauding multiple Delaware homeowners.

Mario Mareno, 49, doing business as Tradesmen Services, was arrested on Friday, May 13 by the First State Fugitive Task Force on four outstanding warrants for Home Improvement Fraud from the Delaware State Police, the New Castle County Police, and the Middletown Police Department. The Consumer Protection Unit is aware of other homeowners who have contacted authorities regarding Mareno and believes that there are more victims who have not yet come forward.

Law enforcement believes Mareno typically solicits and corresponds with victims via Facebook, text messaging, or email, and gets the victims to make large up-front payments, allegedly to obtain required permits and purchase materials, and then never substantially completes the work. In some cases, victims say they have discovered that Mareno did not obtain permits or purchase materials as represented. Mareno allegedly gives victims excuses for why the work is not done, and repeatedly promises to refund up-front payments but never actually does so.

“Home improvement scams are one of the most common types of complaints made by consumers to our Consumer Fraud Hotline,” said Attorney General Matt Denn. “All Delawareans hiring a contractor for home improvement work need to be alert for scams, and help avoid them by doing homework before hiring a contractor. Contractors should always be bonded and maintain all required licenses for mechanical work. It’s also important for homeowners to follow up on references, talk to friends and neighbors about a contractor’s reputation, and never pay for the work in cash or up front.”

Additional alleged victims have been identified by the Consumer Protection Unit, and the office urges other consumers, who believe they may have been victimized by Mareno or Tradesmen Services, or have information to share with authorities, to contact Consumer Protection Unit Special Investigators Jose Ortiz (302-577-8421) or Alan Rachko (302-577-8309).

If consumers suspect they are a victim of home improvement fraud, they should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-220-5424.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.


Contractor Arrested for Defrauding Senior Citizen

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit announced a Delaware City-based contractor faces criminal charges for defrauding a 72-year-old New Castle County homeowner. James Small, 31, was arrested on one count of Home Improvement Fraud, but Department of Justice officials believe he may have more victims.

New Castle County Police received a complaint from a woman believing she was caught in a home improvement scheme. Throughout January 2016, the alleged victim paid Small over $17,000 for home improvements. Work performed included minor spackling and tearing up master bedroom flooring, but ultimately police and CPU believe Small stopped showing up at the work site and the work was never substantially completed.

The investigation revealed that Small, soliciting work by going door-to-door, convinced the victim to pay him $500 up-front. The victim subsequently provided him checks for $1000, $500, $1000, $12,500, and $2,500 over the course of January 2016. At one point, Small accompanied the alleged victim to her bank in order to make a large cash withdraw.

“Delawareans, especially our senior citizens, need to be alert to home improvement scams, and help avoid them by making sure that contractors are bonded and maintain any required licenses for mechanical work,” said Attorney General Matt Denn.  “It’s also important to follow up on references, talk to friends and neighbors about a contractor’s reputation, and never pay for work up front.”

Additional alleged victims have been identified by the Consumer Protection Unit, and the office urges other consumers, who between 2012 and the present, may have been victimized by Small or have information to share with authorities, to contact Special Investigator Robert Schreiber in the Consumer Protection Unit at (302) 577-5183.

If any consumer suspects they are a home improvement fraud victim, they should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-220-5424.