David Elder, 45, of Lewes, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of the rape of a senior citizen and faces a mandatory life sentence because of previous convictions that qualify him for sentencing as an habitual offender. In the early morning hours of December 28, 2015, Elder unlawfully entered the residence of a 78-year-old woman and raped her while wearing a ski mask to disguise his identity. After a four-day jury trial prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Casey L. Ewart, Elder was convicted of Rape First Degree, Rape Second Degree, Burglary First Degree, and Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony on December 15, 2017. Elder is already a registered sex offender as a result of a 1993 conviction for Unlawful Sexual Contact Second Degree, and he was previously declared to be an habitual offender in connection with a conviction for Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender in 2012. Sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2018, and Elder is facing a mandatory life sentence for the Rape First Degree charge. DOJ paralegal Veronica McKain and Administrative Specialist Angelique Waters provided valuable assistance to the prosecution team, while Det. Joshua Rowley of the Delaware State Police and DOJ Social Worker Carla Ennals played vital roles in the successful prosecution of this case.

A Laurel man who raped and impregnated a teenage girl faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, with the possibility of up to 50 years in prison, after pleading guilty on December 15, 2017, to charges of Rape Second Degree, Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust, Supervision, or Authority 2nd Degree, Rape 4th Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Defendant Omar Cameron repeatedly raped a juvenile girl over a lengthy period of time ending in early 2017, until one of those rapes caused the victim to become pregnant. After the victim’s mother learned of the pregnancy, she reported it to the authorities and Cameron was arrested. DNA testing subsequently confirmed that Cameron was responsible for impregnating the victim. A sentencing date is pending. Det. Tyler Bryan of the Laurel Police Department led the investigation and arrested Cameron, while Deputy Attorney General Casey L. Ewart prosecuted the case and was assisted by Administrative Specialist Angelique Waters and Social Worker Carla Ennals.

The Delaware Division of Revenue will extend certain deadlines for filing individual and business tax returns, as well as for making certain tax payments for taxpayers who have been directly impacted by the severe storms and flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.

“The Division of Revenue recognizes the impact that Hurricane Harvey has had on taxpayers and will take all steps necessary to assist hurricane victims who need assistance with Delaware’s tax filing obligations,” said Division of Revenue Director, David Gregor.

Delaware will follow the rules outlined by the Internal Revenue Service in news release IR-2017-135. The extended tax return filing due dates apply to taxpayers located in the impacted disaster areas identified in the IRS notice. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that occurred starting on Aug. 23, 2017 thru January 16, 2018 to January 31, 2018. This includes an additional filing extension for individual taxpayers with valid extensions to Oct. 16, 2017, and businesses with valid extensions to Sept. 15, 2017.

To avoid a penalty assessment for late filing, taxpayers should submit a written request seeking an additional extension via email to Jeffry.schott@delaware.gov. If your request is based upon the tax records being located in the disaster area, please include the address where those tax records are located. Business taxpayer requests should be on company letterhead and signed by a company official.

Local efforts include programs throughout the state

WILMINGTON, DE – The Delaware Department of Justice is commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by hosting a series of panel discussions in each county.

Based on the theme “Stop Abuse of the Vulnerable and Elderly (S.A.V.E.)” the events are designed to bring greater recognition of mistreatment of older adults and highlight the resources available to victims and their families.

The events will include panel discussions on elder abuse and senior protection issues, and consist of various professionals with knowledge in Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Financial Exploitation & Scams, and Law Enforcement.

The discussions, sponsored by the Delaware Department of Justice’s Senior Protection Initiative, will all take place on Monday, June 15, 2015, at the following times and locations:

Sacred Heart Village
Lower Level
920 N. Madison Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
10:00AM

Newark Senior Center
Evergreen Banquet Room
200 White Chapel Drive
Newark, DE 19713
11:00AM

Modern Maturity Center
Main Dining Room
1121 Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE 19904
11:00AM

CHEER Community Center
20520 Sandhill Road
Georgetown, DE 19947
10:00AM

Every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10, older Americans who live at home are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: For every 1 case of elder abuse that comes to light, another 23 remain hidden.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006 in an effort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse. WEAAD is in support of the UN’s International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.