On December 8, 2023, at about 0822 hours, Newark Police responded to a vacant building in the 1100-block of South College Avenue for a report of a possible burglary in progress. The reporting person advised that they observed the lock to the rear door…
Incident Number: 50-23-40586
Date/Time: Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 11:55 a.m.
Location: South State Street and Loockerman Street Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested Anthony Ciferni III, 35, of Dover, for firearm charges following a traffic stop Saturday morning. The investigation began at 11:55 a.m. when Officers stopped Ciferni after he had committed several traffic violations. During the stop, a Dover Police K-9 (K-9 Jax) alerted to the vehicle for the positive presence of narcotics. A search was conducted and officers located a loaded sawed off shotgun concealed underneath of a book bag and drug paraphernalia. Ciferni was transported to Dover Police Department where he was processed and arraigned.
Ciferni was committed to SCI on $23,003 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of a Destructive Weapon
-Various Traffic Charges
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Incident Number: 50-23-40622
Date/Time: Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 5:28 p.m.
Location: Hollywood Diner, 123 North DuPont Highway Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a carjacking that occurred at Hollywood Diner Saturday evening. The investigation began when Dover Police Department received a call for a stolen vehicle at the restaurant at 5:28 p.m. Officers responded and contacted the victim, a 17-year-old female of New York, who advised that she was sitting in the passenger seat of a running vehicle, when a black male entered the driver’s seat and began to back out of the parking lot. The victim exited the vehicle in an attempt to escape, and the vehicle continued backing, causing the vehicle to strike the victim’s legs. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus and treated for minor injuries. The vehicle was located unoccupied at an apartment complex in Dover shortly after the incident. The suspect is described as a black male wearing all black clothing.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
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The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a new rule to fight two common types of illegal tactics consumers face when buying a car: bait-and-switch tactics and hidden junk fees. The new rule is expected to save consumers nationwide more than $3.4 billion and an estimated 72 million hours each year shopping for vehicles.
The Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule also includes clear protections for members of the military and their families, who are targeted not only with bait-and-switch tactics and junk fees, but also deceptive information about whether dealers are affiliated with the military and other specific issues that affect servicemembers.
“When Americans set out to buy a car, they’re routinely hit with unexpected and unnecessary fees that dealers extract just because they can,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The CARS Rule will prohibit exploitative junk fees in the car-buying process, saving people time and money and protecting honest dealers.”
The CARS Rule prohibits dealers from using bait-and-switch claims to lure vehicle buyers to the lot, including about the cost of a car or the terms of financing, the availability of any discounts or rebates, and the actual availability of the vehicles being advertised. It also tackles hidden junk fees – charges buried in lengthy contracts that consumers never agreed to pay. In some cases, these fees are for services or products that provide no benefit to consumers.
Vehicles are one of the most significant purchases that American consumers make – for many, a vehicle is the single most expensive item they will ever purchase. The CARS Rule targets illegal practices that capitalize on the challenging nature of buying a vehicle, particularly the often lengthy and opaque process that can leave consumers open to scams by unscrupulous car dealers.
What the CARS Rule Requires:
How the CARS Rule Affects Servicemembers
For members of the military, the issues addressed by the CARS Rule are compounded by dealers who prey especially on young servicemembers, for whom having a vehicle is often vital when stationed on sprawling military bases. Servicemembers have an average of twice as much auto debt as civilians. By the age of 24, around 20 percent of young servicemembers have at least $20,000 in auto debt, which creates a substantial challenge to servicemembers’ financial well-being.
The CARS Rule prohibits dealers from lying to servicemembers and other consumers about important cost and financing information, and about whether the dealers are affiliated with the military or any other governmental organization. They also are prohibited from lying about whether a vehicle can be moved out of state (which affects servicemembers and their families, who must frequently move to new duty stations) and whether a vehicle can be repossessed (there are laws that protect many servicemembers from having their vehicle repossessed).
“The Department of Defense appreciates the FTC’s CARS Rule,” said Ashish S. Vazirani, Acting DoD Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. “For our service members and their families a car is an essential purchase, and this CARS Rule will help fight predatory practices that target our men and women in uniform. The Department is pleased to see the FTC issue the CARS Rule and believes it will contribute to service members’ overall economic security and readiness.”
How the CARS Rule Was Created
The FTC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to motor vehicle shopping in June 2022 and, during a months-long comment period, the agency received tens of thousands of comments from consumers, servicemembers, veterans, auto dealers and others about the proposed rule. The FTC carefully reviewed these comments and made substantial changes to the proposed rule in creating the CARS Rule.
The changes ensure that the rule is focused on protecting consumers from many of the most common scams that target people buying vehicles while also ensuring that auto dealers are able to compete on a level playing field. Many auto dealers submitted comments to the proposed rule noting that they lost business to other dealers who used deceptive bait-and-switch tactics. The CARS Rule takes steps to protect not only consumers but also honest dealers and competition.
What Happens Next
The CARS Rule will take effect on July 30, 2024. The FTC has created new guidance for consumers to help them understand their rights when they buy a vehicle once the rule goes into effect.
The FTC has also created guidance on the CARS Rule for auto dealers, including a website with frequently asked questions and other advice as dealerships prepare for the rule to take effect.
The Commission vote to approve the issuance of the final rule was 3-0. The full text of the rule will be published shortly in the Federal Register.
On April 28, 1923, the Delaware State Police was founded. Initially, there were four stations established in Delaware: Wilmington, New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown. A fifth station was added in 1925 to patrol the western side of Sussex County. In the early 1960s, the need grew for an additional troop to serve Northern New Castle County. In 1962, the Delaware State Police expanded their footprint onto Kirkwood Highway. The state acquired a two-story brick residence on approximately 3 acres at 3808 Kirkwood Highway to serve as the troop. On May 18, 1963, what was then called Troop 2a opened its doors with three corporals and 12 troopers assigned under Sergeant William J. Warren Jr. The first commander of Troop 2a was Captain Charles R. Skinner. In 1969, Delaware State Police adopted a new process of numbering troops and renamed the troop as Troop 6.
In 1970, the present-day property adjacent to the New Castle County Workhouse was acquired to build a new facility to support 20th-century law enforcement. The 8,000-square-foot building had two levels and cost approximately $500,000.00. The DSP opened the new facility with an indoor firing range in the basement for troopers to practice with issued firearms. Troop 6, “Prices Corner,” was completed on February 5, 1971. When the new troop opened, it became home to its patrol troopers, detectives, and youth aid officers. Later the same year, Governor Peterson announced dispatchers from the DSP, New Castle County Police, and Wilmington Police had agreed to work together to bring better service to the rapidly growing area. The vision was to provide space in Troop 6 for the dispatchers. By 1973, the DSP converted the indoor firing range to house the Regional Communications Center (RECOM). In 1977, criminal investigation operations were consolidated to Troop 2 “State Road,” and Troop 2 patrol troopers were transferred to Troop 6. This era was significant for Troop 6 and exponentially increased the Troop 6 patrol boundaries. Troop 6 became responsible for patrolling most of New Castle County, north of the C&D Canal.
In the 1980s, approximately 80 troopers were assigned to Troop 6 to patrol the area. To manage the ever-growing calls for service, patrol resources were split between the east and west sides of Interstate 95. In 1982, RECOM personnel were relocated to New Castle County Police Headquarters, and the partnership continues today. With the vacancy of the dispatcher force, the newly established Collision Reconstruction Unit (formerly FAIR Team) filled the space. As divisional needs changed, the Collision Reconstruction Unit was moved, and the space was eventually used as a gym to assist troopers in maintaining health and wellness needs. The 1980s and 1990s saw a significant increase in drug and money seizures on Interstate 95 for Troop 6. As retail theft increased in the 2010s, a Retail Theft Unit was formed, including four patrol troopers who reported directly to the criminal lieutenant.
The planning phase for replacing Troop 6 began as the building became outdated and insufficient for 21st-century policing. The building that has been a staple of the Kirkwood Highway corridor for over 50 years closed on May 31, 2023. A closing ceremony was held with Colonel Melissa A. Zebley lowering the American Flag and Captain Jeremiah J. Lloyd lowering the Delaware flag for the final time.
“The Troop 6 (1971) building no longer stands,” said Ret. Major Kevin McDerby, who served as a patrol trooper, shift supervisor, and commander at Troop 6. “What will always survive and live on are the memories and the legacy created by those who had the honor and privilege of serving at Troop 6.”
For the first time in the history of DSP, a troop was temporarily closed for demolition and reconstruction of a new facility in the exact location. Technology in our patrol cars allows our troopers to maintain a presence in the Troop 6 area while leveraging Troop 2 (Newark) and our local law enforcement partners for administrative and prisoner needs. The Delaware State Police is excited to bring a new facility equipped with technology and resources to serve our communities. The new facility is tentatively scheduled to open in Spring 2025.
“Over the history of the Troop, many great leaders have commanded Troop 6, and it is humbling to be provided this opportunity,” said Captain Jeremiah J. Lloyd, Commander of Troop 6. “It is an honor to serve with the men and women of Troop 6 and to have Colonel Zebley’s trust to help design and open a facility that will serve Delawareans and its visitors for the next several decades.”
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Delaware State Police arrested 44-year-old Ian McIntyre, of Ocean View, Delaware, for a felony DUI and drug-related charges early Friday morning in Rehoboth Beach.
On December 8, 2023, at approximately 1:02 a.m., a trooper on patrol observed a white Chevrolet Express van parked for an extended period at a gas pump at Wawa, located at 30155 Veterans Way. The trooper stopped to check on the driver of the van who appeared to be asleep in the driver’s seat with the van running. After making contact with the driver, identified as Ian McIntyre, the trooper observed signs of impairment during their interaction and conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. While tests were given, troopers observed a straw with a white powdery substance in plain view on the driver’s floorboard. After tests were completed, McIntyre was taken into custody for DUI. A search of McIntyre’s person and the van led to the discovery of 139 bags containing approximately .973 grams of heroin, a small plastic bag containing approximately 1.36 grams of Methamphetamine, a Psilocybin mushroom bar weighing approximately 8.49 grams, and various drug paraphernalia.
McIntyre was taken to Troop 7, where a computer check showed that he had been convicted of DUI on two different occasions. He was charged with the following crimes:
McIntyre was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $11,000 secured bond.
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On December 7, 2023, at about 0450 hours, Newark Police responded to the 3000-block of Compass Way for a report of a male subject attempting to enter parked vehicles. The reporting person provided a description of the suspect to officers. A short time later,…
The Federal Trade Commission has obtained proposed orders against the operators of a wide-ranging scheme known as “The Sales Mentor” that made millions by falsely promising consumers that they could make big money from telemarketing sales.
The defendants have agreed to proposed court orders that would require them to pay a total of $1 million for consumer refunds.
In a federal court complaint, the FTC charged the Tennessee-based group of companies, their owners, their officers, and a former sales director with deceiving consumers to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for supposed telemarketing training programs that rarely, if ever, delivered on what was promised. In addition, the FTC said the companies continued to make deceptive earnings claims even after they received the FTC’s Notices of Penalty Offenses on money-making opportunities and on endorsements and testimonials warning them that such conduct is illegal.
“Traffic and Funnels lured people looking to work and earn an income with false or unfounded earnings claims, even after receiving legal notices from the FTC about the illegality of such conduct,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will continue to crack down on deceptive earnings claims that cheat consumers.”
In its complaint, the FTC charged that the companies, their owners Taylor Welch and Christopher Evans, and employees Payton Welch and Ashton Shanks falsely told consumers that The Sales Mentor program for the “high demand” field of telemarketing sales could net them incomes of $10,000 to $20,000 per month on average. In their ads, online videos and other sales pitches, the defendants made false claims that they had successfully “helped over 25,000 people find secure, dependable, consistent and life-changing incomes,” according to the complaint.
Another advertisement claimed that “…it’s virtually IMPOSSIBLE NOT to enjoy a job-replacing six-figure income, even part-time.”
The defendants also falsely claimed, according to the complaint, to have access to a “waiting list” of companies looking to hire consumers who completed their program, when often all they had available was an outdated list of job openings.
The various Sales Mentor “packages” ranged in price from $97 to more than $9,000, according to the complaint. Consumers complained that the supposed private mentoring at higher levels was never made available, and that in many cases the higher levels received the same online video series that could be purchased at lower costs.
According to the complaint, consumers paid more than $29 million to the defendants when the scheme was active between 2018 and 2022. During that time, one of the corporate defendants in 2021 received the FTC’s Notice of Penalty Offenses relating to earnings claims and endorsements. The complaint charges that the defendants violated the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule and engaged in illegal practices described in the Notices they received.
There are two proposed court orders, which were agreed to by the defendants to settle the case: one against Evans and the other against the Welches; Shanks; Evans and Welch, Inc.; WE Capital, LLC; Traffic and Funnels, LLC; and Evans and Welch Holdings, LLC. Both orders include:
The orders contain a total monetary judgment of $16,363,073.11 against all of the defendants except Shanks, which is largely suspended based on the defendants’ inability to pay the full amount. If the defendants are found to have lied to the FTC about the financial status, the full judgment would be immediately payable.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final orders was 3-0. The FTC filed the complaint and final orders in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final injunctions/orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The staff attorneys on this matter are Virginia Rosa and Frances Kern of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide in Wilmington after one man was found dead in a vehicle Saturday night.
On December 9, 2023, at approximately 7:17 p.m., troopers responded to Eagle Tobacco Shop located at 3505 Miller Road in Wilmington, for a report of a shooting. When police arrived, there were indications of a shooting. However, no victims were located.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was in his vehicle and parked in the parking lot of Eagle Tobacco Shop. A dark-colored SUV entered and parked in the parking lot. An occupant of the dark-colored SUV fired several rounds at the victim, and then fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim then drove and to P.S. Dupont Middle School, where he crashed through a fence and came to rest on the school property. When police located the victim, they noticed he was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim, a 22-year-old man from Texas, died at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.
The Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. Timmons by calling 302-365-8434 or emailing [email protected]. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].
The post State Police Detectives Investigating Homicide in Wilmington appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.
Delaware State Police Troop 6 is issuing a Gold Alert for 29-year-old Albert Triplett of Ellendale, Delaware. He was last seen near the 1900 block of Maryland Avenue in Wilmington on November 20, 2023. Attempts to contact or locate him have been unsuccessful, and there is a concern for his safety and well-being.
He is described as a black male, approximately 5’8” tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. His clothing description is unknown.
Anyone with information regarding Albert’s whereabouts is asked to contact Delaware State Police Troop 6 by calling (302) 633-5000 or dialing 9-1-1. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
The post State Police Issue Gold Alert for Missing Ellendale Man appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.
The following individuals are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individuals are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Click on the image to see the complete profile
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The Dover Police Department has arrested 23-year-old Brice Hall, of Dover, for his involvement in the shooting that left a 20-year-old male injured on November 13th, 2023 (Original release below). Throughout the investigation, Detectives identified Hall as one of the suspects involved and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On 12/07/2023 at 12:49 p.m., Hall was taken into custody without incident by Dover Probation and Parole then transported to Dover Police Department where he was processed and arraigned.
Hall was committed to SCI on $47,000 cash bail on the following charges:
-Assault Second Degree
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Conspiracy Second Degree
-Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
-Reckless Endangering First Degree (2x)
-Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited (2x)
-Criminal Mischief (6x)
-Violation of Probation
**ORIGINAL RELEASE**
Incident Number: 50-23-37493
Date/Time: Monday, November 13, 2023 at 2:16 p.m.
Location: 100 block of Hampton Drive Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Hampton Drive Monday afternoon. The investigation began at 2:16 p.m., when Dover Police received a call for a shooting in the 100 block of Hampton Drive. Officers responded and made contact with the victim, a 20-year-old male of Dover, who had sustained a gun shot wound to his upper body and a graze wound on his lower body. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation revealed that as the victim was arriving at his home, three suspects were standing in the area, one of which began firing a handgun at him. The suspects then fled toward Redner’s however could not be located by arriving Officers. The suspects are described as black males wearing ski masks.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
Incident Number: 50-23-40431
Date/Time: Friday, December 8, 2023 at 2:04 a.m.
Location: Village Drive and Quail Hollow Drive Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a 25 year old male of Dover injured early Friday morning. The investigation began at 2:04 a.m., when Dover Police was called for multiple shots fired in the area of Village Drive and Quail Hollow Drive. Officers responded to the area and located the victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper body. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment of his injures. There are no leads or suspect description at this time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
Incident Number: 50-23-40135
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 at 9:35 p.m.
Location: North DuPont Highway and Kings Highway NE Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Master Corporal Ryan Schmid
Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that left a 57-year-old Dover man dead Tuesday night. At approximately 9:35 p.m., Dover Police received a call for a crash involving involving a pedestrian in the area of North DuPont Highway and Kings Highway NE. Officers responded to the area and located the 57-year-old victim and began to render aid. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment, however he was later pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries.
The ensuing investigation revealed that a 2014 Ford Focus, operated by a 82-year-old male from Dover, DE, was traveling Southbound on North DuPont Highway approaching Kings Highway NE. At the same time, the victim was crossing the roadway south of the intersection heading west. As the vehicle crossed over Kings Highway NE, the victim continued to cross North DuPont Highway on foot. At this time, the vehicle struck the victim. The victim was not wearing any reflective material. The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.
The Dover Police Department is still evaluating the facts of this case and requests that anyone with information contact Dover Police Department at (302) 736- 7130.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance. You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at [email protected]
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The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against Florida-based EXOTOUSA LLC. (d/b/a Old Southern Brass) for falsely claiming that certain company products were manufactured in the U.S, and that the company was veteran-operated and donated 10 percent of its sales to military service charities.
The FTC’s proposed order would stop the company and its owner, Austin Oliver, from making these deceptive claims and require them to pay a monetary judgment.
“This company and its owner’s brazen deception cheated consumers who wanted to support U.S. manufacturing, veteran-operated businesses, and veteran charities,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We will continue to hold accountable those who profit from false Made in USA and military association claims.”
According to the FTC’s complaint, Old Southern Brass made many claims on its website and advertising that the products it sold were made in the United States, including one post featuring “ ‘Merica Gifts for the ‘Merica Man In Your Life” that said “… all of our products are 100% American made, and nothing says ‘Merica like making products right here at home for ‘Merica man or woman alike.”
The complaint charges that, in spite of such claims, many of the company’s products were wholly imported from China or contained significant imported content.
In addition, the complaint points to numerous instances when Old Southern Brass claimed affiliation with the U.S. military, including that the company was veteran-operated, donated 10 percent of sales to military service charities, and that it sold products that included bullets or casings used by the U.S. military.
One post on the company’s website said “… as a veteran-operated business in the United States, our mission is to give back to fellow American patriots who have served and protected our country.”
A product listing on the company’s website advertised an engraved 50 caliber casing bottle opener as being “Handcrafted from an authentic 50 cal casing that was previously used by the U.S. military.”
Despite the company’s claims, the company was not operated by a veteran, and the products it sold as being used by the U.S. military were not actually used by the U.S. military. The complaint also charged that the company did not donate 10 percent of sales to veterans’ charities as it claimed. In fact, the company claimed charitable deductions that amounted to less than one-half of 1 percent of sales.
The FTC’s proposed order against the company and Oliver, which they have agreed to, prohibits them from making any false or misleading claims, including any about affiliation with or support of the U.S. military or veterans. It also requires that $150,000 must be turned over to the FTC.
The order also includes a number of requirements about the claims they make about the origin of their products:
The order includes a monetary judgment of $4,572,137.66, which is partially suspended due to the defendants’ inability to pay the full amount. If the Commission finds that the defendants lied about their financial status, the full amount of the judgment could become immediately payable.
The Commission vote to issue the administrative complaint and to accept the consent agreement was 3-0.
The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register soon. The agreement will be subject to public comment, after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final. Instructions for filing comments appear in the published notice on regulations.gov.
NOTE: The Commission issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions. Each violation of such an order may result in a civil penalty of up to $50,120.
The lead staff attorney on this matter was Julia Solomon Ensor in the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The FTC is committed to ensuring that “Made in USA” claims are truthful. The FTC’s Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims provides guidance on making non-deceptive “Made in USA” claims. In addition, the FTC’s Made in USA Labeling Rule went into effect on Aug. 13, 2021. Companies that violate the Rule from that date forward may be subject to civil penalties.
The Federal Trade Commission is launching a claims process for consumers harmed by Credit Karma’s practice of misrepresenting that consumers were “pre-approved” for credit card offers. According to the FTC, many consumers were denied, costing them time and subjecting them to unnecessary credit checks.
The agency is sending notices to 497,425 consumers who may be eligible for a payment. Consumers can apply if they were offered a pre-approved credit card from Credit Karma but were denied when they applied. Most of the consumers will get an email, but about 4,000 people who don’t have an email address on file will get a notice in the mail. Eligible consumers can file a claim online at www.ftc.gov/CreditKarma.
Consumers who have questions or need help filing a claim can email [email protected] or call 866-848-0871. The deadline to file a claim is March 4, 2024.
In September 2022, the FTC announced an enforcement action against Credit Karma, alleging that the company used claims that consumers were “pre-approved” for a credit card or had “90% odds” of approval to entice them to apply for offers that, in many instances, they did not qualify for. Consumers who applied incurred a hard inquiry on their credit reports, and, if they were denied, may have damaged their credit scores unnecessarily.
Credit Karma paid $3 million to settle the charges, which the FTC will use to pay claims to consumers harmed by the company’s actions. The FTC received roughly thirty complaints involving Credit Karma’s “pre-approved” offers in the five years prior to announcing its action against the company. But within five months of that announcement, the agency received nearly 900 more such complaints. This is consistent with the FTC’s experience that consumer complaints represent the tip of the iceberg compared to the number of consumers harmed.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2022, Commission actions led to more than $392 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
The Newark Police Department would like to remind the public of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. As the holidays begin, we generally see an uptick in the number of DUI incidents as people attend various holiday parties. This…
The Federal Trade Commission will hold a virtual informal hearing on January 16, 2024, on the proposed amendments to the Negative Option Rule.
During the hearing, which will be open to the public and viewable on the FTC’s website, six nongovernmental organizations will provide oral statements addressing issues raised to date during the rulemaking process.
On March 23, 2023, the FTC announced a rulemaking proposing several significant updates to its rule regarding subscriptions and recurring payments, including a “click to cancel” provision requiring sellers to make it as easy for consumers to cancel their enrollment as it was to sign up. The new click to cancel provision, along with other proposals, are aimed at rescuing consumers from seemingly never-ending struggles to cancel unwanted subscription payment plans for everything from cosmetics to newspapers to gym memberships.
In response to the proposed rulemaking, six of the more than 1,100 commenters requested to present their positions at an informal hearing: They include International Franchise Association, TechFreedom, the Performance Driven Marketing Institute, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, FrontDoor, and the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
The Federal Register notice states that these entities will be entitled to make oral presentations at the informal hearing on January 16, 2023. Oral statements at the event will be limited to 10 minutes each. These organizations, however, may also request to submit written documents to the FTC within 14 days of publication of the notice in the Federal Register. Submission instructions are included in the notice. All submissions will be placed on the public record.
The informal hearing will be conducted virtually, starting at 10 a.m. ET, and Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative Law Judge Carol Fox Foelak has been appointed to preside over the event. The link to the hearing webcast will be posted shortly before the date of the event on the FTC’s website.
The Commission vote approving publication of the notice was 3-0. It will be published in the Federal Register shortly.
The lead staffer on this matter is Katherine Johnson in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Incident Number: 50-23-37477
Date/Time: Monday, December 2, 2023 at 5:34 a.m.
Location: Wawa, 1450 Forrest Ave Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a 45 year old male of Dover injured early Saturday morning. The investigation began at 5:34 a.m., when Dover Police was called for a shooting at Wawa, 1450 Forrest Avenue. Officers responded to the area and located the victim who had sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus where he was treated for his injuries.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim was returning to his vehicle after exiting the store when he heard gunshots and realized he was shot. No suspect description is available at this time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
In early October, 2023, a school resource officer assigned to Newark High School, 750 East Delaware Avenue, was alerted to the theft of about two dozen computers from an unlocked classroom within the school. During the course of the investigation into the thefts, including…
After the initial arrest in this case, the Dover Police Department continued to attempt to identify the other suspects responsible for this crime. Through their investigation, Khalil Peden, 23, of Bear, was identified as one of the additional suspects. On 11/6/23, Peden was indicted on charges related to this case by a Grand Jury. On 11/29/2023, the U.S. Marshal’s Service First State Fugitive Task Force took Peden into custody without incident at a residence in Wilmington, DE. Peden was arraigned at Kent County Superior Court.
Penden was committed to SCI on $1,000,000 cash bail on the following charges:
-Murder First Degree
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Conspiracy First Degree
**Original Release**
Incident Number: 50-22-36388
Date/Time: Thursday, November 24, 2022, at 3:42 a.m.
Location: Unit Block of Forest Creek Drive, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting death of Walter Pereira, 29, of Dover, DE, that occurred early Thursday morning. The investigation began at approximately 3:42 a.m., when Dover Police received the call for a shooting at a residence in the unit block of Forest Creek Drive. Officers responded and located Pereira laying on the ground with gun shot wounds. Officers and Paramedics began life saving efforts until Pereira was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. Rayvaughn Jones, 29, of Dover, DE, was arrested leaving the residence where this shooting occurred. Through the ensuing investigation, it was determined that Jones lives at the residence with Pereira. The suspects are described as being two black males. No further description is available at this time.
As part of the investigation, Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and located the following evidence; AK47 rifle, AR-15 rifle, 12 gauge shotgun, Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun, KBI Inc handgun, Springfield Armory 9mm handgun, Freedom Arms .22 Caliber handgun, 2,130.4 grams of marijuana, 914 doses of M/30 oxycodone pills, 27 grams of methamphetamine, 6.38 grams of cocaine, 30 doses of LSD, $7,186, and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Jones was arrested without incident and charged with the following:
-Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited(13x)
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony(7x)
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance in a Tier 2
-Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity
-Possession with Intent to Deliver LSD in a Tier 2 Quantity
-Possession of LSD in a Tier 2 Quantity
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine in a Tier 3 Quantity
-Possession of Methamphetamine in a Tier 3 Quantity
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine in a Tier 1 Quantity
-Possession of Cocaine in a Tier 1 Quantity
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
-Conspiracy Second Degree
Bail information and a photo of Jones are unavailable at this time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance. You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: [email protected]
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $3 million in refunds to businesses that paid for memberships to HomeAdvisor, Inc., a company affiliated with Angi (formerly known as Angie’s List). The agency is also sending claim forms to businesses that are eligible for additional refunds.
The refunds stem from FTC allegations that HomeAdvisor used deceptive marketing tactics when selling home improvement project leads to service providers, including small businesses operating in the “gig” economy. The FTC’s March 2022 complaint alleged that since at least mid-2014, HomeAdvisor made false, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about the quality and source of the leads it was selling to home service providers in search of potential customers. The agency also charged that HomeAdvisor told businesses that their annual membership would include one free month of mHelpDesk, an optional scheduling and payment processing service marketed by HomeAdvisor, but in reality the company charged an additional $59.99 for the first month.
The FTC is sending 110,372 checks to eligible home service providers. These refunds are related to the FTC’s allegations that HomeAdvisor misled businesses about the quality of customer leads they would get with their membership. Recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check.
The agency is also sending 91,273 claims forms to businesses that paid for mHelpDesk. The deadline to submit a claim is February 26, 2024. More information about the refund process is available at www.ftc.gov/HomeAdvisor or by calling the refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc., at 1-833-915-1144. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2022, Commission actions led to more than $392 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
On November 24, 2023, members of the Newark Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit were conducting proactive enforcement in the 1100-block of South College Avenue. During that time, they contacted Dontay Purnell, 37, of Wilmington. Purnell was found to have a warrant for failing to…
Incident/Complaint#: 50-23-38974
Date: Sunday, November 26th, 2023 at 2:12 a.m.
Location: Bayhealth Kent Campus,640 South State Street Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Brandon Ricks, 36, of Dover, DE. Ricks suffers from a condition that may pose a risk to his health and safety if not properly monitored and treated. Ricks is described as a black male, 5’11”, 128 pounds, black hair and hazel eyes. Ricks was last seen in the area Bayhealth Kent Campus wearing a red t-shirt, and gray pants. Attempts to contact him have been negative.
If you have any information on Ricks’ whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111.
The Federal Trade Commission has approved an omnibus resolution authorizing the use of compulsory process in nonpublic investigations involving products and services that use or claim to be produced using artificial intelligence (AI) or claim to detect its use.
The omnibus resolution will streamline FTC staff’s ability to issue civil investigative demands (CIDs), which are a form of compulsory process similar to a subpoena, in investigations relating to AI, while retaining the Commission’s authority to determine when CIDs are issued. The FTC issues CIDs to obtain documents, information and testimony that advance FTC consumer protection and competition investigations. The omnibus resolution will be in effect for 10 years.
AI includes, but is not limited to, machine-based systems that can, for a set of defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. Generative AI can be used to generate synthetic content including images, videos, audio, text, and other digital content that appear to be created by humans. Many companies now offer products and services using AI and generative AI, while others offer products and services that claim to detect content made by generative AI.
Although AI, including generative AI, offers many beneficial uses, it can also be used to engage in fraud, deception, infringements on privacy, and other unfair practices, which may violate the FTC Act and other laws. At the same time, AI can raise competition issues in a variety of ways, including if one or just a few companies control the essential inputs or technologies that underpin AI.
The Commission voted 3-0 to approve the omnibus resolution authorizing compulsory process in investigations related to the use of AI.
The lead FTC staffers on this matter are Nadine Samter and Ben Halpern-Meekin in the FTC’s Northwest Region office.
California-based CRI Genetics, LLC (CRI) will pay a $700,000 civil penalty and will be barred from a wide range of deceptive practices to settle charges from the Federal Trade Commission and the California Attorney General that the company deceived users about the accuracy of its DNA reports.
In a joint complaint filed in federal district, the agencies say that in marketing its DNA-based ancestry and information reports, CRI deceived consumers about the accuracy of its test reports compared with those of other DNA testing companies, falsely claimed to have patented an algorithm for its genetic matching process and used fake reviews and testimonials on its websites. CRI also used “dark patterns” in its online billing process to trick consumers into paying for products they did not want and did not agree to buy, according to the complaint.
“Today’s action continues the FTC’s crackdown on deceptive reviews, dark patterns, and baseless claims around algorithmic solutions,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We are proud to partner with California on this important matter and will continue to carefully scrutinize claims around biometric information technologies.”
“CRI Genetics could have found legitimate ways to market its services. Unfortunately, in its pursuit of growth and profits, the company repeatedly misled consumers. The FTC and my office took notice, we investigated, and we are delivering results today,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Our settlement not only holds CRI Genetics accountable for its past misconduct — it also aims to ensure that CRI Genetics doesn’t engage in similar misconduct going forward. I want to thank our federal counterparts at the FTC for their continued partnership and commitment to ensuring that all businesses play by the same rules.”
This action follows the Commission’s Biometric Policy Statement, which states that unsubstantiated marketing claims relating to the validity, reliability, accuracy, performance, fairness, or efficacy of technologies using biometric information violate the FTC Act.
CRI, also doing business as OmniPGX, advertises, markets, distributes, and sells DNA test kits and ancestry and health and wellness reports to consumer nationwide. Since at least 2017, CRI has marketed and sold DNA saliva swab test kits on its website, along with reports generated from the kits processed by a third-party laboratory. The reports provide consumers with information about their genetic ancestry, potential health and wellness traits and conditions, and paternity.
The complaint charges that CRI violated the FTC Act, California’s Unfair Competition Law, Business and Professions Code, and the state’s False Advertising Law, Business and Professions code in several ways. First, CRI allegedly made false claims on its websites and social media that its ancestry reports were more accurate and detailed than other major DNA testing companies, such as Ancestry DNA and 23andMe.
The agencies say that CRI also misrepresented that its ancestry testing reports would show consumers exactly where their relatives are from and when they were there dating back 50 plus generations, with an accuracy rate of more than 90 percent. The company ran ads featuring a prominent genetic scientist who developed CRI’s algorithm for matching DNA, which it falsely claimed was patented, according to the complaint.
Further, CRI posted fake reviews from supposedly “satisfied customers” on its websites and falsely claimed they only had a limited supply of the tests to entice consumers to buy them quickly. The company also published star rating reviews comparing CRI’s reports to other companies on the market on what appeared to be independent and unbiased websites, without disclosing that CRI owned the websites, which also provided links to purchase the company’s test kits.
The complaint states CRI forced consumers to click through a maze of pop-up pages on its websites, falsely promising “special rewards” and then trapped consumers by saying their order “was not complete.” CRI also deceptively told consumers that they would have a chance to review their orders before being charged for them, but instead immediately charged them, forcing consumers to return the unwanted products.
In addition to paying a $700,000 civil penalty to California, the order will prohibit CRI from making the misrepresentations alleged by the agencies and bars it from misrepresentations made in connection with the advertising, offering for sale, or sale of any DNA information testing product or service. Next, it prohibits CRI from misrepresentations related to endorsements, reviews, and ratings and requires the company to disclose any material connection with social media or other endorsers.
The order also will prohibit CRI from misrepresenting when product orders are final or complete, when charges will take place, and whether consumers can change the services they choose before being charged. CRI must also disclose the total cost of all products or services to consumers, when they will be charged, and whether they can confirm, edit, or delete products before they are charged.
In addition, the order will require CRI to obtain consumers’ consent and to describe to consumers how it may share their DNA information. The company will also be required to delete the genetic and other information of those consumers who previously received refunds and requested that their data and other personal information be deleted.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 3-0. The FTC filed the complaint and proposed final order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Central District of California.
The lead staff attorney on this matter was Nadine Samter of the FTC’s Northwest Region.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final injunctions/orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The Federal Trade Commission is sending a second round of payments totaling more than $857,000 to consumers who were harmed by Illinois-based Napleton Automotive Group’s junk fees and discriminatory practices.
The agency is sending 37,034 checks in this mailing. Recipients should cash checks within 90 days. Consumers who have questions about their refund should call the refund administrator, Epiq, at 1-888-691-6050 or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
The FTC sent the initial refund mailing in this case in November 2022. More than 88% of eligible consumers cashed their checks, resulting in more than $8.8 million returned to consumers.
The FTC and the State of Illinois sued Napleton Automotive Group in March 2022, alleging that Napleton employees were sneaking illegal junk fees for unwanted “add-ons” onto vehicle purchases and discriminating against Black consumers. According to the joint complaint, eight of the company’s dealership illegally tacked on junk fees for unwanted “add-on” products such as payment insurance and paint protection, costing consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The complaint also alleged that Napleton discriminated against Black consumers by charging them more for add-ons and financing.
The case settled for a record amount for an auto finance case, reflecting the widespread and high-dollar nature of the harm to consumers. The FTC received 391 complaints—about add-ons and other issues—over a several-month period prior to filing a complaint against Napleton, the thirteenth largest dealership group in the country by revenue as of 2020. However, in a survey of the dealer’s customers over the same time period, 83% of respondents—or at least 16,848 customers—indicated they were subject to the dealer’s unlawful practices related to add-ons alone. This is consistent with the FTC’s experience, which finds that consumer complaints represent the tip of the iceberg compared to the number of consumers harmed.
Consumers who have a bad experience while shopping for a car can inform the FTC about the issues they faced via the Report Fraud website.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2022, Commission actions led to more than $392 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
Incident Number: 50-23-38129
Date/Time: Friday, November 17th, 2023 at 11:30 p.m.
Location: 800 Block of North DuPont Highway Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that left a 50-year-old Camden man dead. At approximately 11:30 p.m., Dover Police received a call for a crash involving two vehicles in the 800 block of North DuPont Highway. Officers responded to the area and located the 50-year-old victim in his vehicle suffering injuries from the collision. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment, however he was later pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries.
The ensuing investigation revealed that a 2003 Buick Century, operated by a 20-year-old female from Smyrna, DE, was traveling Northbound on North DuPont Highway near McDonalds, 879 North DuPont Highway Dover, DE. At the same time, a 2000 Toyota Corolla, operated by the victim, was making a left turn from Southbound, North Dupont Highway, across the Northbound lanes of travel, attempting to turn into McDonald’s. As the Corolla made the turn, the Buick struck the Corolla causing it to spin clock wise into the parking lot of McDonalds. The Buick lost control and crossed over the grassy median, coming to a rest on the west bound side of North DuPont Highway. The driver of the Buick refused medical treatment. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.
The Dover Police Department is still evaluating the facts of this case and requests that anyone with information contact Dover Police Department at (302) 736- 7130.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance. You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at [email protected]
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
The Dover Police Department has arrested a 16-year-old black female and a 14-year-old black male, both of Dover, for the burglary at Cosmic Smoke that occurred on Saturday, November 11th, 2023. (See original release below) Through investigative measures, Detectives were able to identify the pair and obtained warrants for their arrest.
Both individuals turned themselves in to Dover Police Department and were turned over to their parents after being processed on the following charges:
-Burglary Third Degree
-Theft Over $1,500
-Conspiracy Second Degree
-Criminal Mischief Over $1000 under $5,000
**ORIGINAL RELEASE**
Incident Number: 50-23-37178
Date/Time: Saturday, November 11th, 2023 at 12:47 a.m.
Location: Cosmic Smoke, 515 South DuPont Highway Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at the Cosmic Smoke early Saturday morning. The investigation began when officers were called to the business at 12:47 for an alarm. Officers responded and noticed that a suspect had forced entry in the building by shattering a front window. Officers entered the business and checked for suspects with negative results. The ensuing investigation revealed that two suspects entered the business by breaking the front window. Once inside, the suspects removed an undisclosed amount of property from the store and fled on foot towards Capital Green. Both suspects were wearing masks at the time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
Incident Number: 50-23-37641
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 3:53 p.m.
Location: 500 Block of Forest Street Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested William Caldwell, 35, of Dover, on drug and firearm charges following a stop Tuesday afternoon. At approximately 3:53 p.m., the Dover Police Department’s Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit was conducting a firearms investigation on Caldwell when he was contacted in the 500 Block of Forest Street. Caldwell resisted arrest and struggled with officers, which resulted in an Officer sustaining a head injury. Caldwell was taken into custody without incident and found in possession of a .380 handgun concealed inside of his waistband and oxycodone. Caldwell was transported to Dover Police Department where he was processed and arraigned. The officer was treated and released from Bayhealth Kent Campus.
Caldwell was committed to SCI no $106,250 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (2x)
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Resisting Arrest With Force
-Assault Second of a Law Enforcement Officer
-Possession of a Controlled Substance
The following images contain the newest Megan’s Law Sex Offender Notifications for the City of Dover. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Dover Police Sex Offender Enforcement Unit.
The annual Newark Turkey Trot 5K and 10K runs will occur this weekend on Saturday November 18. The races begin at 9:00 am at Handloff Park on Barksdale Road. The races will interrupt traffic on Barksdale Road, Valley Road, Church Road and Casho Mill…
The Federal Trade Commission will require prison communications provider Global Tel*Link Corp. and two of its subsidiaries to notify consumers of any future data breaches as part of a proposed settlement over charges they failed to secure sensitive data of hundreds of thousands of users stored in a cloud environment and failed to alert all those affected by the incident.
In a complaint, the FTC says that Falls Church, Va.,-based Global Tel*Link and two of its subsidiaries failed to implement adequate security safeguards to protect personal information they collect from users of its services, which enabled bad actors to gain access to unencrypted personal information stored in the cloud and used for testing.
“The FTC is committed to protecting the rights to privacy and security of personal information for all consumers, including incarcerated consumers and their loved ones,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “When consumers have little or no choice about whether to use a business’s products or services, the business has an even greater responsibility to ensure that its practices don’t cause harm.”
Global Tel*Link, which also does business as GTL and ViaPath Technologies, contracts with federal, state, and local jails, prisons, and similar institutions to provide communications services such as phone and video calls and payment services for incarcerated individuals. In the course of providing their services, Global Tel*Link and its subsidiaries collect personal information from consumers including their names, addresses, government identification numbers such as passport numbers or driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, and financial account information.
In marketing and other materials, Global Tel*Link touted its security practices by claiming that data security is “the cornerstone of what we do” and that it implemented a security architecture that included many safeguards such as encryption to ensure that its users’ data would not fall into the “wrong hands.”
The FTC says, however, that Global Tel*Link, failed to live up to these claims. In August 2020, as part of an effort to test new search software, the company and a third-party vendor copied a large volume of sensitive, unencrypted personal information about nearly 650,000 real users of its products and services into the cloud but failed to take adequate steps to protect the data. For example, Global Tel*Link stored the data in plain text and failed to deploy a firewall to protect the copied data, implement monitoring software that would have alerted the company if the security settings were changed, and inventory and track the consumer information uploaded to the copied data, according to the complaint. The copied data included individuals’ full names, dates of birth, phone numbers, usernames or email addresses in combination with passwords, Social Security numbers, location information, grievance forms, which can include very sensitive information, and messages exchanged between incarcerated individuals and their friends and family.
As a result of changes made by the company’s third-party vendor to the security settings for the data stored in the cloud, the personal data of many Global Tel*Link customers was left accessible via the internet without any safeguards to prevent unauthorized people from accessing and removing data from the test site—until a security researcher alerted the company about the security holes. A forensic analysis showed that a handful of hackers accessed billions of bytes of the exposed data. In early September, Global Tel*Link was notified again by an identity monitoring company that personal data belonging to Global Tel*Link users was available on the dark web, which is a collection of websites that are used to buy and sell illegally obtained personal data for fraud, identity theft and other nefarious purposes.
Despite this, Global Tel*Link waited approximately nine months to notify affected customers and only contacted 45,000 users—even though the breach may have affected hundreds of thousands of additional customers—that their personal data may have been compromised as a result of the data breach. This nine-month delay harmed users who did not have an opportunity to take actions to protect themselves from identity theft by implementing a credit freeze or other measures, according to the complaint. The company also repeatedly and falsely claimed in marketing materials following the incident that it had never suffered a data breach.
As part of the proposed order with the FTC, Global Tel*Link and two of its subsidiaries are prohibited from misrepresenting their data security practices and will be required, among other things, to:
The Commission voted 3-0 to issue the proposed administrative complaint and to accept the consent agreement with the company.
The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register soon. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final. Instructions for filing comments will appear in the published notice. Once processed, comments will be posted on Regulations.gov.
NOTE: The Commission issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions. Each violation of such an order may result in a civil penalty of up to $50,120.
The lead attorneys on this matter are Robin Wetherill and Manmeet Dhindsa.
The Federal Trade Commission has provided the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with its annual summary of activities to protect consumers in the debt collection arena.
The summary is used by CFPB in its annual report to Congress, released today, on the activities of both agencies, who share law enforcement responsibility in this area.
In the summary, the Commission highlights its multi-faceted work covering the debt collection market to protect consumers and small businesses, including:
The lead staff attorney on this matter for the FTC is Naomi Takagi in the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Federal Trade Commission is announcing the Voice Cloning Challenge to help promote the development of ideas to protect consumers from the misuse of artificial intelligence-enabled voice cloning for fraud and other harms.
“We will use every tool to prevent harm to the public stemming from abuses of voice cloning technology,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We want to address harms before they hit the marketplace, and enforce the law when they do.”
“This exploratory challenge leverages one of our many tools at the FTC,” added Stephanie T. Nguyen, the FTC’s Chief Technology Officer. “The challenge is crafted in a way that ensures companies are responsible for the first- and second-order effects of the products they release.”
Voice cloning technology has grown more sophisticated as text-to-speech AI technology has improved. The technology holds promise for consumers, such as medical assistance for those who may have lost their voices due to accident or illness. At the same time, the FTC has raised concerns about ways that voice cloning technology could be used to harm consumers. For example, it could make it easier for scammers to impersonate family, friends, or business executives; it could also enable fraudsters to deceive consumers by appropriating the voices of creative professionals. Earlier this year, the FTC warned consumers about the use of voice cloning to impersonate others to try to get consumers to give scammers money or personal information. And the FTC held a workshop in early 2020 that examined various issues related to voice cloning technology.
The FTC has and will continue to use its enforcement authority to target companies that misuse technology to harm consumers and competition. The challenge the FTC is launching today is focused on promoting the development of breakthrough ideas aimed at preventing, monitoring, and evaluating malicious use of voice cloning technology, whether it is a product, policy, or procedure.
Challenge submissions must address at least one of these intervention points:
The FTC will accept submissions online from January 2 to January 12, 2024. Information on how to submit a proposal for the challenge as well as complete challenge rules can be found on the challenge website. The challenge will offer $25,000 to the winner.
The Voice Cloning Challenge is the FTC fifth challenge issued pursuant to the America Competes act. The goal of these challenges is to spur the development of tools to address consumer problems, including one in 2012 aimed at tackling robocalls and a 2017 challenge focused on addressing security vulnerabilities related to Internet of Things devices.
The lead FTC staffers on this matter are James Evans and Christine Barker from the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and Amritha Jayanti from the FTC’s Office of Technology.
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. – Maj. George S. Welch Elementary School received a bomb threat at 9:50 a.m., November 15, 2023. Welch Elementary and Dover Air Base Middle School were immediately evacuated. All students are safe and have been accounted for.
The 436th Security Forces Squadron arrived on scene at 10:10 a.m.
The investigation remains ongoing. If you have additional questions, please call (302) 677-3372 or email [email protected].
The Federal Trade Commission has obtained orders with the four remaining individual defendants and their affiliated companies in a mobile cramming scheme that the agency says bilked consumers out of more than $100 million through bogus charges added to their mobile phone bills.
The proposed settlements with Darcy Michael Wedd and Phwoar, LLC.; Fraser Robert Thompson and Ocean Tactics, LLC; Erdolo Levy Eromo and Erdi Development LLC; and Michael Pajaczkowski, Concise Consulting, Inc., and MMJX Consulting, Inc., resolve the FTC’s charges related to the MDK Media mobile cramming scheme. The FTC in 2015 reached settlements with six other individual defendants and affiliated companies. The FTC’s case against the remaining defendants was then put on hold pending the outcome of related criminal charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. These actions resulted in criminal sentences against Wedd, Thompson, Eromo, and Pajaczkowski, with the last case resolved in July 2023.
“Putting a stop to unauthorized charges has been a longtime priority of the FTC,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This case showcases the financial harm these practices cause, and the need to ensure that developing technologies do not become a haven for fraudulent schemes.”
In the complaint first announced in 2014, the FTC charged that the defendants used deceptive practices, including fake websites with bogus offers of “freebies” or gift cards, to trick consumers into providing their mobile phone numbers. The defendants then placed monthly subscription fees for a variety of “services” on consumers’ mobile phone bills without their authorization—a practice known as mobile cramming.
The “services” described in the complaint consisted of subscriptions for text messages sent to consumers’ mobile phones that contained short celebrity gossip alerts, “fun facts,” horoscopes, and other items. The subscriptions typically cost consumers $9.99 or $14.99 per month, which renewed automatically each month. The defendants made it difficult for consumers to dispute charges. Some consumers were crammed for multiple months and, even after significant effort, were unable to obtain a full refund.
Under the proposed settlements, Wedd, Thompson, Eromo, and Pajaczkowski, as well as their related companies are prohibited from placing any charges on any telephone bills, from making any misrepresentations about any product or service, and from engaging in any unfair billing practices. In addition, they are prohibited from using or benefitting in any way from the customer data they collected through this scheme and are required to destroy any remaining customer data.
Many consumers who were impacted by the defendants’ practices received refunds through settlements the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached with the four major mobile carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, related to mobile cramming charges that were placed on customers’ bills without their authorization. The mobile carriers discontinued such third-party billing practices following the actions by the FTC and other state and federal agencies to crack down on cramming.
The Commission vote approving the stipulated final orders with Wedd, Thompson, Eromo, and Pajaczkowski, as well as their affiliated companies, was 3-0. The FTC filed the proposed orders in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
Federal Trade Commission staff have sent warning letters to two trade associations and 12 registered dieticians and other online health influencers warning them about the lack of adequate disclosures in their Instagram and TikTok posts promoting the safety of the artificial sweetener aspartame or the consumption of sugar-containing products.
The letters to the trade groups, the American Beverage Association (AmeriBev) and The Canadian Sugar Institute, express concerns that the organizations may have violated the FTC Act by failing to adequately disclose that the influencers were apparently hired to promote the safety of aspartame or the consumption of sugar-containing products, respectively. This action follows FTC’s recent revision of the Commission’s Guides for Endorsements and Testimonials, and is part of the agency’s continued monitoring of influencer marketing.
“It’s irresponsible for any trade group to hire influencers to tout its members’ products and fail to ensure that the influencers come clean about that relationship,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “That’s certainly true for health and safety claims about sugar and aspartame, especially when made by registered dieticians and others upon whom people rely for advice about what to eat and drink.”
The letter to AmeriBev detail concerns about posts on Instagram and TikTok by Valerie Agyeman, Nichole Andrews, Leslie Bonci, Keri Gans, Stephanie Grasso, Cara Harbstreet, Andrea Miller, Idrees Mughal, Adam Pecoraro, and Mary Ellen Phipps, each of whom also received an individual warning letter.
The letter to The Canadian Sugar Institute expresses concerns about Instagram posts by Jenn Messina and Lindsay Pleskot, each of whom also received an individual warning letter.
As discussed in the Commission’s Guides for Endorsements and Testimonials, paid endorsements should clearly and conspicuously disclose any unexpected material connections to ensure that consumers have the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions.
Each of the warning letters identified what appeared to be paid posts that either did not disclose a material connection, or that contained disclosures that may be inadequate. Each letter explained staff’s concerns regarding particular disclosures, including inconspicuous placement, ambiguous language, or the failure to clearly identify the sponsor of the posts.
Each letter also included the FTC’s notice of penalty offenses concerning misleading endorsements and noted that the recipient could face civil penalties of up to $50,120 per violation for future failures to disclose unexpected material connections. Finally, each letter asked the recipient to contact agency staff within 15 days and detail any actions taken or that will be taken to address staff’s concerns.
The primary staff attorney on this matter is Cassandra Rasmussen in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Incident Number: 50-23-37493
Date/Time: Monday, November 13, 2023 at 2:16 p.m.
Location: 100 block of Hampton Drive Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Hampton Drive Monday afternoon. The investigation began at 2:16 p.m., when Dover Police received a call for a shooting in the 100 block of Hampton Drive. Officers responded and made contact with the victim, a 20-year-old male of Dover, who had sustained a gun shot wound to his upper body and a graze wound on his lower body. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation revealed that as the victim was arriving at his home, three suspects were standing in the area, one of which began firing a handgun at him. The suspects then fled toward Redner’s however could not be located by arriving Officers. The suspects are described as black males wearing ski masks.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
Incident Number: 50-23-37477
Date/Time: Monday, November 13, 2023 at 8:06 a.m.
Location: 300 block of Bluecoat Street, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Bluecoat Street. The investigation began at 8:41 a.m. on Monday when Dover Police received a call for shots fired in the area of Nob Hill Road and John Hunn Brown Road. Officers responded and checked the area, however they could not locate any victims at this time. At 12:08 p.m., resident in the 300 block of Bluecoat Street called stating their house had been struck by gunfire. Officers responded and observed damage on the residence consistent with being shot by gunfire. The home was occupied at the time it was struck however no one was injured as a result of this shooting. There are no leads at this time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
Incident Number: 50-23-37178
Date/Time: Saturday, November 11th, 2023 at 12:47 a.m.
Location: Cosmic Smoke, 515 South DuPont Highway Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred at the Cosmic Smoke early Saturday morning. The investigation began when officers were called to the business at 12:47 for an alarm. Officers responded and noticed that a suspect had forced entry in the building by shattering a front window. Officers entered the business and checked for suspects with negative results. The ensuing investigation revealed that two suspects entered the business by breaking the front window. Once inside, the suspects removed an undisclosed amount of property from the store and fled on foot towards Capital Green. Both suspects were wearing masks at the time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
On July 17, 2023, around 0530 hours, the Middletown Police Department responded to the community of St. Anne’s for numerous reports of motor vehicle thefts and thefts from within motor vehicles. During the course of this investigation, it was determined that a total of three vehicles were stolen from the St. Anne’s community on the morning of July 17, 2023. In addition, numerous vehicles were rummaged through. All vehicles have since been recovered.
On July 18, 2023, around 0545 hours, the Middletown Police Department responded to the community of Dove Run for numerous complaints of thefts from motor vehicles.
Through investigative measures, it was determined that both incidents were connected to the same group of individuals. MPD, along with its partnering agencies, were able to identify numerous subjects involved including Cshaun Washington of Newark, Delaware and two juveniles from Wilmington, Delaware. This investigation remains ongoing.
On July 20, 2023, arrest warrants were drafted for all three suspects due to their roles in this incident. They were charged with the following offenses:
Cshaun Washington, 18 years old, Newark, Delaware:
3 counts – Theft of a motor vehicle
5 counts – Burglary 3rd Degree
7 counts – Conspiracy 2nd Degree
3 counts – Theft under $1500
3 counts – Attempted Theft under $1500
2 counts – Unlawful use of a payment card
Conspiracy 3rd Degree
(NOT PICTURED)
16-year-old juvenile of Wilmington, Delaware:
3 counts – Theft of a motor vehicle
5 counts – Burglary 3rd Degree
7 counts – Conspiracy 2nd Degree
3 counts – Theft under $1500
3 counts – Attempted Theft under $1500
2 counts – Unlawful use of a payment card
Conspiracy 3rd Degree
(NOT PICTURED)
16-year-old juvenile of Wilmington, Delaware:
3 counts – Theft of a motor vehicle
5 counts – Burglary 3rd Degree
7 counts – Conspiracy 2nd Degree
3 counts – Theft under $1500
3 counts – Attempted Theft under $1500
2 counts – Unlawful use of a payment card
Conspiracy 3rd Degree
Their arraignments are pending; however, all three subjects are currently in custody due to their role in similar incidents across neighboring jurisdictions.
The Middletown Police Department would like to remind community members to secure their vehicles and to remove the keys from inside their vehicles in order to deter additional vehicle thefts and/or incidents.
Anyone with additional information and/or video of these incidents are asked to contact Det. Adam Starrett at 302-696-2574 or via email at [email protected].
Isiah Beaufort of Townsend, DE
The Middletown Police have arrested 22-year-old Isiah Beaufort of Townsend, DE for felony assault following an investigation that began on Sunday evening.
MIDDLETOWN DE: On April 23, 2023, at approximately 6:00 pm., Middletown Police responded to the area of Middletown Warwick Road and Ash Boulevard in reference to a terroristic threatening with a weapon. The investigation revealed Beaufort shot at the victim several times following a road rage incident while driving north on Middletown Warwick Road. The victim’s vehicle was struck several times and the victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury.
On April 25, 2023, with the assistance of the Delaware State Police SORT Team, a search warrant was served at the home of Beaufort where he was taken into custody without incident. During the search several firearms were recovered.
Beaufort was arrested for Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Assault 2nd degree, three counts of Reckless Endanger 1st degree, and overtaking/passing on the right. Beaufort was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 where he received $39,001.00 secured bond. He was later committed to Howard Young Correctional after failing to post bond.
Police are asking anyone with additional information regarding the incident to please contact Detective Brett Lankenau at 302-376-9950 or via email at [email protected]. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
On September 23, 2022, at approximately 9:15 pm Middletown Police were in the area Bunker Hill Road and Choptank Road when shots were fired. Two gunshot victims were located in the area with non-life-threatening injuries. The Middletown Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation. Two suspects were arrested and charged in October, 2022, and a third remained outstanding. Further investigation led to the identification of the third suspect, Firas Elbashier, 19, Middletown, DE.
On March 8, 2023, with the assistance of the Delaware State Police SORT Team, a search warrant was served at the home of Elbashier where he was taken into custody without incident. During the search, a handgun and marijuana were recovered.
Elbashier was arrested for the September 23, 2022 incident and charged with two counts of assault 1st, two counts of reckless endangering 1st, one count of conspiracy 2nd, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and one count of carrying a concealed deadly weapon a firearm.
Elbashier was also charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, civil possession of marijuana and civil possession of drug paraphernalia.
Elbashier was arraigned via Justice of the Peace Court 2 and received a $171,002.00 bond. He was transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post bail.
At this time the Middletown Police believe all suspects in this incident have been arrested. Police are asking anyone with additional information regarding the incident from September 23, 2022 to please contact Detective Adam Starrett at 302-376-9950 or via email at
[email protected]. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
Elbashier, Firas of Middletown, DE 19709 (19 years old)
On February 11, 2023, at approximately 920 pm, Middletown Police Officers responded to the Valero at 38 E. Main St. in Middletown, Delaware in reference to a person with a gun. Further investigation revealed that a robbery occurred outside, and the suspect brandished a handgun taking items from the victim before fleeing in a white Hyundai Sonata with South Carolina registration.
Further investigation by the Middletown Police Criminal Investigation Division led to Reed Ryan’s (24, Townsend, DE) identification as the suspect in this incident.
On February 20th, 2023, the Middletown Police Department, along with Delaware State Police SORT executed a search warrant on the 600 block of Hanson Rd., Townsend, DE 19734. Reed Ryan was taken into custody without incident.
During the search of this residence three firearms were recovered, along with 1790 grams of Marijuana and other evidence of drug dealing. One of these three firearms was previously reported stolen.
Reed Ryan was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the commission of a felony, Aggravated Menacing and Terroristic Threatening.
He was also charged with Possession of a Firearm During the commission of a felony, Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (3 counts), Possession of a Stolen Handgun, Drug Dealing – Tier 2, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of drug Paraphernalia.
Ryan was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a $171,501 secured bail on all charges. He was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post bond.
Reed Ryan, 24 years old, Townsend, Delaware
On January 31, 2023, at approximately 1400 hours, MPD officers responded to the area of Flower Hall and Willow Grove Mill Drives, Middletown, DE 19709 for a reported hit and run accident.
While in route, MPD officers were notified that four suspects, three black males, and one black female, had been observed fleeing the vehicle. Officers responded to the area and located a disabled vehicle with PA registration. Police learned that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Police Department earlier that day.
Middletown Police with the assistance of New Castle County and Police and Delaware State Police responded to the area. The occupants were contacted by police however they fled on foot into the neighborhood and surrounding area. Ultimately all four suspects were located and apprehended. They were identified as a 17 year old male juvenile, Makhya Maxwell (18 y.o), Hasim Fisher ( 18 y.o), and Reginald Mcneil (18 y.o).During the pursuit, one of the suspects damaged a resident’s fence.
17 year old – was processed and committed to the juvenile detention center on $10,000 cash bail
Makhya Maxwell – was processed and released on $3,100 total unsecured bail. (Pictured below)
Reginald Mcneil – was processed and released on $3,200 total unsecured bail. (Pictured below)
Hasim Fisher – was processed and released on $3,100 total unsecured bail. (Pictured below)
On January 16h, 2023 at approximately 11:45 PM Middletown Police conducted a vehicle stop on Cedar Lane Road at Redden Lane, Middletown, DE. While conducting the investigation, police learned the rear passenger, later identified as Chazmen Cousin-Lee, 32 (Frederick, MD) provided a false name. He was found to be in possession of narcotics, suspected drug proceeds, and was also concealing a non-serialized handgun in his waistband.
He was charged with Manufacture/Deliver/PWID Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity for crack cocaine a schedule II substance, Manufacture/deliver/PWID controlled substance Tier 3 Quantity for synthetic narcotic suboxone a schedule III substance, Possess, purchase, or own a firearm by person prohibited due to prior violent crime or felony, Manufacture/deliver/PWID controlled substance for heroin a schedule I substance, Carrying a concealed deadly weapon, Possession of a weapon with a removed, obliterated, or altered serial number, Resisting arrest with force of violence that injures or struggles with peace officer causing injury, Possess/consume marijuana other than personal use quantity a schedule I substance, Criminal impersonation to obtain a benefit or defraud, and Possess consume a controlled or counterfeit substance except human growth hormone without a prescription for methamphetamine a schedule II substance.
Chazmen cousin-Lee (32 of Frederick, MD) was transported to Howard Young Correctional Facility in lieu of $163,300 cash bond.
The driver of the vehicle Allan Sheingold (41, Middletown, DE) was charged with multiple drug offenses, failure to have insurance identification in possession, and expired tags.
Occupant Maria Dejesus (33, Middletown, DE) was charged with drug offenses.
DeJesus and Sheingold were released on their own recognizance.
The Middletown Police Department requests the public’s assistance in connection to the 2020 murder of Akeem Evans
The Middletown Police Department is asking for the assistance of the public in connection to the 2020 murder of Akeem Evans.
On November 21, 2020, police responded to the intersection of New St. and Cole Blvd. in reference to a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, police located 33-year-old Akeem Evans, who was shot at the above intersection and located in the roadway. Evans later succumbed to his injuries.
At this time, no arrest has been made but the investigation remains ongoing, and investigators are asking the public for assistance.
Anyone with information about this investigation, is encouraged to contact Det. Adam Starrett at 302-696-2574 or via email at [email protected]
You can also provide information to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or delawarecrimestoppers.org and may remain anonymous when submitting information.
Reference Complaint Number 34-22-009822
MIDDLETOWN DE: On October 10, 2022 at approximately 9:21 pm an unknown male entered the La Costena Market located at 14 East Main Street Middletown, Delaware produced a firearm and demanded cash before fleeing.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to please contact Detective Joseph Womer at 302-376-9950 or via email at [email protected].
Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
Suspects in Shooting Arrested
MIDDLETOWN DE: On September 23, 2022, at approximately 9:15 pm Middletown Police were in the area Bunker Hill Road and Choptank Road when shots were fired. Two gunshot victims were located in the area with non-life-threatening injuries. The Middletown Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation. During the course of the investigation, Ammir Brewster and Maon Murray were developed as suspects.
On October 13, 2022, with the assistance of the Delaware State Police SORT Team, search warrants were served at the homes of Brewster and Murray.
Both Brewster and Murray were arrested and charged with two counts of Assault 1st, two counts of Reckless Endangering 1st, one count of Conspiracy 2nd, one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon A Firearm.
Both Brewster and Murray were arraigned via Justice of the Peace Court 2 and each received a $102,000 secured bail. They were transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post bail.
Police are asking anyone with additional information regarding the incident from September 23, 2022 to please contact Detective Adam Starrett at 302-376-9950 or via email at [email protected]. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
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Brewster, Ammir of Townsend DE 19734 (19 years old) |
Murray, Maon of Townsend DE 19734 (20 years old) |
Middletown Police are currently investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Bunker Hill Road east of Choptank Road on Friday September 23, 2022. At approximately 9:15 pm Middletown Police were in the area when they heard shots being fired. Two gunshot victims were located in the area and transported to Christiana Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Middletown Police Criminal Investigation Unit continues to investigate this case. Police are asking anyone who witnessed this incident to please contact Detective Womer at 302-376-9950 or via email at [email protected]. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
Middletown, DE: On August 9, 2022 at 7pm the Middletown Police responded to E. Cole Blvd for a shooting which left a victim hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
After an ongoing investigation led by the Middletown Police Criminal Investigation Division, Capice A. Johnson, 27, Middletown DE (pictured below) was developed as a suspect.
On September 7, 2022 the New Castle County Police SWAT Team and the U.S. Marshals assisted with a search warrant at a residence in the unit block of Janvier Court, Middletown, DE. Johnson was taken into custody without incident and charged with multiple gun and drug charges. Johnson was arraigned on his charges and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $183,000.00 cash bail.
If you have any additional information regarding the shooting on August 9, 2022 please contact Detective Stafford at 302-376-9950 or email at [email protected].
Capice A. Johnson, 27, Middletown DE
Over the last several months, the Middletown Police Department conducted an investigation involving Tahmir Pernsley and his involvement in drug dealing and weapons offenses throughout the Town of Middletown, Delaware.
As a result of this investigation, a search warrant was obtained for his residence in the 600 block of Wiggins Mill Rd. Townsend, DE 19734.
On April 19, 2022, the Middletown Police Department, with the assistance of Juvenile Probation, arrested Tahmir Pernsley without issue in the 100 block of Silverlake Rd. Middletown, DE 19709. The subsequent searches of Pernsley’s vehicle and residence located one non-serialized firearm with an extended magazine, ammunition, and marijuana packaged for sale. Pernsley is currently a person prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions.
Pernsley was charged with the following offenses:
Possession of an Untraceable Firearm
Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Driving without a valid license
Display of a fictitious number plate or tag
Pernsley was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a $28,503 cash bond on all charges. Pernsley was subsequently transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post this bail.
On April 14, 2022, at approximately 1832 hours, the Middletown Police Department (MPD) responded to the Lowes at 500 W. Main St. Middletown, Delaware 19709 in reference to a robbery that just occurred. The suspect was identified as a white male who displayed a large knife during the attempted robbery but left the business on foot without obtaining any merchandise during the attempt.
The Middletown Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit assumed this investigation and was able to identify the suspect as Gabriel Otinsky (19 years old) of the 500 block of Middlesex Dr. Middletown, Delaware 19709.
On April 22, 2022, MPD, with the assistance of the Delaware State Police and Probation and Parole, Otinsky was arrested without incident in New Castle, Delaware. A search warrant was then executed at his residence in reference to this case.
Through this investigation, Otinsky was linked to two attempted burglaries on April 14, 2022 at the Food Lion and Harbor Freight in Middletown, Delaware.
Otinsky was charged with the following offenses:
Lowes Robbery:
Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
Possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony
Aggravated Menacing
Wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony
Food Lion and Harbor Freight burglaries:
Attempted Burglary 3rd Degree – 2 counts
Criminal Mischief Greater then $1000 – 2 counts
Otinsky was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a $132,000 cash bond on all charges. Otinsky was subsequently transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post this bail.
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On March 26, 2022 at approximately 8:05P.M Middletown Police with the assistance of New Castle County Police responded to the Village Wine and Spirits (211 Middletown Warwick Rd) for the report of an attempted robbery with a weapon. On scene police learned that the suspect entered the establishment wearing a mask and a hood over his face. The suspect pulled a black handgun and demanded the two clerks open the register. One of the clerks was able to pull their own weapon at which point an exchange of gunfire occurred. The suspect fled the store without any proceeds. Nobody was struck during the exchange. The suspect fled in a Red Dodge Journey with black rims. Middletown Police developed Michael Cherry (35 years old) of Norfolk Va as a suspect. On March 28, 2022 Police located Cherry and his vehicle in a local hotel. Police apprehended Cherry without incident. Police served search warrants on Cherry’s vehicle and hotel room where they recovered a 9mm pistol and clothing used in the robbery. Cherry is a person prohibited from owning firearms. Cherry was arraigned and issued a $118,000 cash bond on charges of attempted robbery 1st, reckless endangering1st, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony. He failed to post bond and was committed to Howard Young Correctional.
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On Wednesday January 5th at approximately 10:45 am Middletown PD with the assistance of New Castle County Police responded to the 300 block of Liborio Drive in reference to a shooting. An innocent bystander sitting in their vehicle received a non-life-threatening graze wound to the head. The investigation revealed two subjects were shooting at one another and several vehicles were struck during the exchange of gun fire.
Middletown Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit was able to identify the subjects as Jermaine King, 18, Middletown and Anthony Hobbs,19, Middletown.
King was arrested on February 1, 2022 and charged with Assault 1st, Possession of firearm during the commission of a felony, Reckless 1st, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal mischief 2, and Discharge rifle or other explosives. King was transported to the Howard Young Correctional Facility in lieu of $45,000 secured bond.
Hobbs turned himself in on February 4, 2022 and arraigned on charges of Possession of firearm during the commission of a felony, Reckless 1st, Conspiracy 2nd, Criminal mischief, Discharging rifle or other explosives. Hobbs was transported to the Howard Young Correctional Facility in lieu of $73,500 cash bond.
On January 5, 2022 at approximately 1046am, the Middletown Police responded to the unit block of Liborio Drive in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival police located one victim who was transported to the hospital and is stable condition.
Middletown Police Detectives are in the early stages of the investigation. We request anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Womer at 302-376-9950.
If you are a local resident with video surveillance, you may have captured this incident. We ask our residents to view video and report anything that could potentially assist in the investigation.
We are committed to keeping our community safe and any information provided will be kept confidential.
The Middletown Police Department requests the publics assistance in connection to the 2020 murder of Akeem Evans:
The Middletown Police Department is asking for the assistance of the public in connection to the 2020 murder of Akeem Evans.
On November 21, 2020, police responded to the intersection of New St. and Cole Blvd. in reference to a shooting that just occurred. Upon arrival, police located 33-year-old Akeem Evans, who was shot at the above intersection and located in the roadway. Evans later succumbed to his injuries.
This investigation remains ongoing, and investigators are asking the public for assistance.
Anyone with information about this investigation, is encouraged to contact Det. Adam Starrett at 302-696-2574 or via email at [email protected]
Reference Case #34-20-012730.
You can also provide information to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or delawarecrimestoppers.org and may remain anonymous when submitting information.
On Tuesday November 9th, The Middletown Police Department responded to E. Main Street and Dickenson Blvd for a fatal motor vehicle collision. At approximately 11 a.m. a Harley Davidson motorcycle and Honda Element collided within the intersection. As a result of the collision the motorcycle operator, who was identified as 33 year old Joseph DiMatteo of Townsend was transported to Christiana Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The Honda operator and the adult passenger were not injured. The New Castle County Police Traffic Services Unit is currently investigating the incident. Anyone with information regarding the collision is asked to contact Det. Kevin Maloney, (302)395-8055, or [email protected].
Over the course of the summer, the Middletown Police Department conducted an investigation involving James Moore, 18, Middletown Delaware, (pictured below) for his involvement in drug dealing and weapons offenses throughout the Town of Middletown, Delaware.
On September 16th, 2021 two search warrants were executed on the 400 Block of North Catherine St. and Moore was taken into custody without incident.
Located during the search was a Polymer 80 non-serialized firearm and 92 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Additionally, 384 grams of marijuana packaged for sale, drug packaging material, Oxycodone, Alprazolam, and Hydrocodone pills were recovered along with suspected drug proceeds in the amount of approximately $900.00.
James Moore was charged with Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony,
Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, Possession of a controlled substance in a Tier 1 Quantity, three counts of Possession of a controlled substance and two counts of Endangering the welfare of a child
Moore was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and issued a $6,200 secured bond. Unable to post bail Moore was transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution.
James Moore, 18, Middletown, DE
Middletown Police are actively investigation the shooting incident in the area of W. Lake St. and N. Broad St. that occurred on May 28, 2021 at approximately 10pm. Middletown Police are seeking to contact any individuals that may have witnessed or could provide information about the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Middletown Police Detectives at 302-376-9950 (email: [email protected] ) or information can be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers @ 1-800-TIP (847)-3333. Tips can also be submitted at DelawareCrimeStoppers.com
Middletown Police are actively investigating the shooting incident in the Millbranch Community from May 23, 2021 at approximately 6pm. Middletown Police are aware there were several individuals at the parkland and basketball courts located off of Ashland Street when the shooting occurred. Middletown Police are seeking to contact any individuals that may have witnessed or could provide information about the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Middletown Police Detectives at 302-376-9950 (email: [email protected]) or information can be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers @ 1-800-TIP (847)-3333. Tips can also be submitted at DelawareCrimeStoppers.com
On November 30, 2020, the Middletown Police Department (MPD) responded to Cole Boulevard in reference to a shooting in progress. During the shooting a vehicle was struck multiple times, however no one was injured.
After a lengthy investigation, Elijah Reed, of the unit block of Cole Blvd. was developed as a suspect in the incident.
On April 7, 2021, Elijah Reed was taken into custody by the Middletown Police Department and charged with the following offenses:
Elijah Reed was arraigned via Justice of the Peace Court 2 and issued a $99,000 cash bail. He was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post this bail.
If you have any additional information regarding the incident from November 30, 2020 please contact Det. Adam Starrett at 302-696-2574 or via email at [email protected].
On February 19, 2021, the Middletown Police Department (MPD) responded to Naughty Lane and Vincent Circle in reference to a shooting in progress. Following this incident, the MPD Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation. During the course of the investigation, James Ashley was developed as a suspect in the shooting. Additional evidence was identified, which resulted in arrest and search warrants to be issued for Ashley.
On March 4, 2021, with the assistance of the New Castle County Police Department SWAT Team, a search warrant was served at Ashley’s residence in the unit block of Archer Circle in Newark, Delaware. During this search warrant, Ashley was taken into custody on his active arrest warrant.
In addition, a search of the residence by MPD officers located two firearms, ammunition and marijuana inside the residence. As a result, Ashley was charged with the additional criminal offenses.
Feb. 19, 2021 incident:
2 Counts of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited
Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Criminal Mischief
March 4th, 2012 Incident:
Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
2 Counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited.
If you have any additional information regarding the incident from February 19, 2021 please contact Det. Adam Starrett at 302-696-2574 or via email at [email protected].
On November 3, 2023, Newark Police responded to the BP gas station at 121 South Main Street after receiving a call from station management. Management reported that while inspecting the gas pumps, they located credit card skimmers on two of the pumps. The timeframe…
Today, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan announced that an open meeting of the Commission will be held virtually on Thursday, November 16, 2023. The open meeting will commence at 11 a.m. ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission.
The following items will be on the tentative agenda for the November 16 Commission meeting:
At the start of the meeting, Chair Khan will offer brief remarks and will then invite members of the public to share feedback on the Commission’s work generally and bring relevant matters to the Commission’s attention. Members of the public must sign up for an opportunity to address the Commission virtually at the November 16 event.
Each commenter will be given two minutes to share their comments. Those who cannot participate during the event may submit written comments or a link to a prerecorded video through a webform. Speaker registration and comment submission will be available through Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET.
A link to the event will be available on the day of the open meeting, shortly before it starts via FTC.gov. The event will be recorded, and the webcast and any related comments will be available on the Commission’s website after the meeting. The Commission retains discretion to make public comments available following the event on ftc.gov.
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat scammers and protect consumers in every community, the Federal Trade Commission is now providing the ability to report fraud, scams and deceptive practices in multiple languages in addition to English and Spanish.
These new language access enhancements will allow people to file reports with the FTC in their preferred language when calling the FTC. Among the new languages available are Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Portuguese and Polish. Consumers speaking English and Spanish can also continue to file reports directly online.
The FTC is also offering guidance online and in print to consumers and businesses in additional languages. This includes advice on how to spot, stop and avoid scams and what to if you paid a scammer online, as well as offering free print resources in multiple languages.
More information about the enhanced language access for both reporting and consumer and business guidance is available in a new FTC blog post.
In a comment submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office, the Federal Trade Commission identifies several issues raised by the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that implicate competition and consumer protection policy, noting the Commission’s role in monitoring the impact of generative AI and vigorously enforcing the law as appropriate to protect competition and consumers.
“The manner in which companies are developing and releasing generative AI tools and other AI products . . . raises concerns about potential harm to consumers, workers, and small businesses,” according to the comment. “The FTC has been exploring the risks associated with AI use, including violations of consumers’ privacy, automation of discrimination and bias, and turbocharging of deceptive practices, imposters schemes and other types of scams.”
The comment explains that the FTC has an interest in copyright-related issues beyond questions about the scope of rights and the extent of liability under the copyright laws. For instance, not only may creators’ ability to compete be unfairly harmed, but consumers may be deceived when authorship does not align with consumer expectations. A consumer may think a work has been created by a particular musician or other artist when it is an AI-created product.
“Conduct that may violate the copyright laws . . . may also constitute an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive practice, especially when the copyright violation deceives consumers, exploits a creator’s reputation or diminishes the value of her existing or future works, reveals private information, or otherwise causes substantial injury to consumers,” the comment continues. In addition, certain large technology firms have vast financial resources that enable them to protect the users of their generative AI tools or exclusive licenses to copyrighted proprietary data, potentially further entrenching the market power of these dominant firms.
Accordingly, the FTC has been using its existing legal authorities to take action against illegal practices involving AI, citing consumer protection examples including allegations that Amazon and Ring used highly private data they collected to train their algorithms while violating consumer privacy.
“AI, in particular generative AI, is still evolving rapidly, but it already has the potential to transform many industries and business practices. Notably, there is no AI exemption from the laws on the books. Accordingly, the FTC will vigorously use the full range of its authorities to protect Americans from deceptive and unfair conduct and maintain open, fair, and competitive markets,” the comment concludes.
The FTC submitted the comment in response to a notice of inquiry and request for comments on the copyright and policy issues raised by AI systems. It provides an overview of the FTC’s expertise in promoting competition and protecting consumers in an economy in which AI is being rapidly deployed, highlights the interconnection between AI-related copyright issues and FTC-focused competition and consumer protection concerns, and shares themes found in comments made at last month’s FTC roundtable on AI’s effects on the work of creative professionals.
The Federal Trade Commission is providing full refunds to consumers who lost money to the NTS IT Care tech support scheme, which tricked consumers into buying expensive and unnecessary tech support services and often claimed to be affiliated with Microsoft, Apple, and other tech companies. According to a complaint, they often targeted older Americans and those unfamiliar with computer security.
The refunds stem from a 2020 settlement the FTC reached with NTS IT Care, Inc., and its CEO, Jagmeet Singh Virk. The FTC’s case against Virk and NTS had been under seal until earlier this year pending the outcome of a criminal case involving Virk and NTS brought by the Department of Justice.
“As a recent report to Congress makes clear, the FTC is committed to taking action to protect older consumers from scams like these that have a disproportionate impact on them,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “And, what’s more, the FTC will keep working with DOJ to ensure criminal prosecutions follow criminal conduct.”
In its complaint, the FTC said that NTS lured consumers through alarming and deceptive pop-up warnings that appeared when consumers browsed the Internet and often disabled their browsers. The pop-ups looked like a security alert from the computer’s operating system and falsely claimed that a consumer’s computer had been compromised by malicious software, such as a virus or spyware. The pop-up further stated that the computer had been “blocked,” and that the consumer’s personal information was being stolen. The pop-ups sometimes falsely claimed to be from Microsoft, Apple, or another legitimate tech company and instructed consumers to immediately call a toll-free number for help.
When consumers called the number, the company’s sales representatives ran bogus diagnostic scans to convince consumers that their computers needed immediate repair and used high-pressure and deceptive sales tactics to push consumers to buy multi-year technical support service packages that cost as much as $499. NTS and Virk made millions of dollars from the scheme.
Now, the FTC is using money obtained as part of the settlement to provide payments totaling more than $255,000 to 272 consumers who provided victim statements in the case against Virk and NTS. The average refund amount is $937. Most consumers will receive their payment by check and will have 90 days to cash their checks. Consumers who have questions about the refunds should contact the refund administrator by phone at 866-441-9746 or by email at [email protected].
The settlement imposed a $4.9 million judgment against NTS and Virk, which was partially suspended due to their inability to pay the full amount. In addition, NTS and Virk are permanently prohibited from selling or marketing any tech support service and from benefitting from any personal data they collected from consumers. They are also permanently banned from engaging in misleading telemarketing practices and from trying to collect payments from customers for technical support services they previously sold.
The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 5-0. The Commission voted on the matter prior to the departure from the FTC of former Chairman Joe Simons as well as former Commissioners Rohit Chopra, Noah Joshua Phillips, and Christine S. Wilson. The FTC filed the complaint and final order in the U.S. District Court for Northern California. The court approved the stipulated final order in December 2020.
The lead FTC staffers on this matter were Ronnie Solomon and Sarah Schroeder from the FTC’s Western Region San Francisco.
The FTC would like to thank the Department of Justice, FBI, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT Task Force), and the Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles & Silicon Valley for their assistance with this matter.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2022, Commission actions led to more than $392 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
As a result of a law enforcement action by the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida, Chargebacks911 and its owners have agreed to a settlement that will prohibit them from working with certain high-risk clients and using deceptive tactics to stop consumers trying to dispute credit card charges through the chargeback process.
In a complaint filed in April 2023, the FTC and Florida charged that, since at least 2016, the “chargeback mitigation” company and its owners, Gary Cardone and Monica Eaton, have used multiple unfair techniques to prevent consumers from winning chargeback disputes.
“The settlement order will provide important protections for consumers who shop online,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “It sends a clear message that chargeback mitigation companies must not undermine consumers’ ability to exercise their rights.”
The chargeback process is a key protection for consumers who wish to contest unwanted, fraudulent, or incorrect credit card charges. When a consumer sees a charge they did not authorize, or for which the promised goods or services didn’t arrive, they can dispute the charge with their credit card company. The consumer’s credit card company then contacts the merchant’s credit card company for information and determines whether to reverse the charge.
The FTC and Florida charged that Chargebacks911 sent materials that it knew or should have known were misleading or inaccurate to credit card companies on behalf of their clients, including screenshots of websites that were different than the ones visited by consumers. The complaint also alleged that Chargebacks911 used its “Value-Added Promotions” service to game the systems that credit card companies use to detect fraud on their payment networks.
The proposed court order, which was agreed to by the defendants and must be approved by a federal judge before it can go into effect, would prohibit them from providing chargeback mitigation services to high-risk clients who use affiliate marketing and negative option plans to sell certain product types that are often fraudulently marketed. The order would also prohibit them from knowingly using deceptive or misleading information on behalf of their clients and would prevent them from using techniques like their Value-Added Promotions service to help clients evade fraud-monitoring programs.
The order will also require the defendants to pay $100,000 in civil penalties and $50,000 in legal costs to the State of Florida.
The Commission vote approving the stipulated final order was 3-0. The FTC filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The FTC staff attorneys on this matter are Evan Rose, Bobbi Tonelli, and Denise Oki of the FTC’s Western Region San Francisco.
The Federal Trade Commission is sending nearly $7 million in refunds to consumers who paid for health insurance but instead got medical discount plans pitched by Consumer Health Benefits Association (CHBA).
According to the FTC’s complaint against CHBA, related entities, and their owners, the company targeted consumers who searched online for information about affordable health insurance plans. CHBA telemarketers allegedly pitched consumers with a long list of false claims about the benefits of the discount plans, including that the plans were as widely accepted and would provide the same cost savings as legitimate health insurance companies, and also misled consumers about the company’s refund policies.
The FTC recovered almost $7 million pursuant to the terms of six final orders with defendants Guarantee Trust Life Insurance, Vantage America Solutions, Inc., Century Senior Services, Richard Holson, III, Barbara Taube, and Jeffrey Burman; Ronald and Rita Werner; John Schwartz; Louis Leo; Wendi Tow; and Consumer Health Benefits Association, National Benefits Consultants LLC, National Benefits Solutions LLC, and National Association for Americans.
The FTC is sending payments to 47,166 consumers. Recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Consumers who have questions about their payment should contact the refund administrator, Epiq, at 888-350-1458, or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2022, Commission actions led to more than $392 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
Today, the Federal Trade Commission released the National Do Not Call Registry Data Book for Fiscal Year 2023, which shows that consumer complaints about robocalls and unwanted live telemarketing calls have decreased to a five-year low.
Now in its fifteenth year of publication, the data book also provides the most recent fiscal year information available on robocall complaints, the types of calls consumers reported to the FTC, and a complete state-by-state analysis. According to the data book, complaints about imposter calls again topped the list, with more than 175,000 received during the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2023, 117,000 of which were robocalls. In such calls, imposters falsely pose as representatives of government, such as the Social Security Administration or the IRS, legitimate business entities or as people affiliated with them.
FY 2023 Registration and Complaint Data
The FTC’s National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry lets consumers add their phone number and choose not to receive most legal telemarketing calls. In the last fiscal year, more than 2.6 million people signed up with the DNC Registry, bringing the total to more than 249 million actively registered phone numbers, up from 246.8 million at the end of FY 2022.
The overall number of complaints continued its decline in FY 2023, down more than 900,000 from FY 2022. The number of consumer complaints decreased for most topics, including warranties and protection plans, the second largest topic the past several years, which saw a decrease of more than 84 percent from FY 2022.
In FY 2023, the Commission received 1.2 million complaints about robocalls, down from 1.8 million in FY 2022. This is the second year in a row the number of robocalls reported has decreased. For every month in the fiscal year, robocalls—defined under FTC regulations as calls delivering a prerecorded message—made up the majority of consumer complaints about DNC violations.
Calls about medical and prescription issues comprised the second-most commonly reported topic, with consumers filing more than 142,000 complaints. Complaints about supposed debt-reduction made up the third-most commonly reported topic, followed by complaints about energy, solar, and utilities and warranties and protection plans.
Registration and Complaint Data by State
The FTC also provides a state-by-state breakdown of its data. New Hampshire continues to top the nation in active DNC registrations per capita. The top five states reporting the most DNC complaints per 100,000 people in FY 2023 were Delaware, Ohio, Virginia, Nevada and Illinois.
Operation Stop Scam Calls
In July 2023, the FTC and more than 100 federal and state law enforcement partners nationwide, including the attorneys general from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, announced “Operation Stop Scam Calls,” the largest crackdown on illegal telemarketing calls in U.S. history.
The initiative involved more than 180 actions targeting operations responsible for billions of calls to U.S. consumers, and it not only targeted telemarketers and the companies that hire them, but also lead generators who deceptively collect and provide consumers’ telephone numbers to robocallers and others, falsely representing that these consumers have consented to receive calls. The effort also targeted Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers who facilitate illegal robocalls every year, which often originate overseas.
Underlying Data Availability
The underlying data in the report is publicly available on the FTC’s website.
Information for consumers about the DNC Registry, company-specific DNC requests, and telemarketer caller ID requirements can be found on the FTC’s website, and consumers can sign up for the DNC Registry for free. Other information about robocalls and what consumers can do about them is also available. To report unwanted telemarketing calls, consumers can file a complaint at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
The primary staffer on the report is Paul Witt in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Incident Number: 50-23-36013
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 5:08 p.m.
Location: South New Street and West Reed Street
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested Tyrese Bailey, 22, of Dover, on drug and firearm charges following a stop Wednesday evening. On Wednesday at approximately 5:08 p.m., the Dover Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit was conducting a firearms investigation on Bailey when he was contacted in the area of South New Street and West Reed Street. Bailey was taken into custody without incident and officers located a .22 Caliber Rifle concealed inside of his jacket. Officers continued their search of Bailey and located 54.1 grams of marijuana, 154 bags of heroin and 1.3 grams of crack cocaine. Bailey was transported to Dover Police Department where he was processed and arraigned.
Bailey was committed to SCI on $152,200 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition By a Person Prohibited (3x)
-Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (2x)
-Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number
-Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Possession of a Controlled Substance In a Tier 1 Quantity
-Possession of a Controlled Substance
The Dover Police Department has arrested Khalil Smith, 19, of Dover, for his involvement in the Spruance Road shooting that left a 17-year-old male injured in May of 2023. (See original release below) Through the investigation into this incident, the Criminal Investigations Unit, in collaboration with the Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit, identified Smith as a suspect. On October 30th, 2023 Detectives obtained warrants for Smith who was currently being held at SCI on unrelated charges.
Smith was arraigned at SCI where he was held on $75,500 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
-Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (2x)
-Reckless Endangering First Degree (2x)
-Assault Second Degree
-Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
-Conspiracy Second Degree
-Criminal Mischief
**Original Release**
Incident Number:50-23-14368
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 2:33 a.m.
Location: 100 Block of Spruance Road, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting of a 17-year-old white male of Dover that occurred early Tuesday morning. The investigation began when Dover Police responded to the 100 block of Spruance Road for a shooting. Officers responded, and upon arrival located the 17-year-old victim, who had been shot in his upper body. Officers immediately rendered aid and the victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The ensuing investigation revealed that a vehicle was also struck by gunfire during this incident. No other injuries were reported. There are no leads at this time.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance. You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: [email protected]
You can follow the Dover Police Department by clicking on:
The Delaware State Police arrested 20-year-old Lynox Allen of Wilmington, Delaware, for aggravated menacing and gun offenses after he caused a disturbance at a North Wilmington area restaurant on Sunday night.
On October 29, 2023, at approximately 8:26 p.m., troopers responded to the Applebee’s located at 1600 Rocky Run Parkway for reports of an armed man wearing a ski mask arguing with the restaurant’s employees. The suspect was reported to have fled in a silver sedan bearing a specific Delaware registration. A responding trooper observed the car traveling southbound on Concord Pike in the area of Prospect Avenue and conducted a felony traffic stop. The trooper made contact with the driver, identified as Lynox Allen, and the 19-year-old passenger. Both were detained without incident. After Allen was removed from the car, troopers observed a ski mask in plain view on the driver’s seat. Subsequently, troopers searched the car and located a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat, and approximately 24.95 grams of marijuana.
In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned Allen’s family members, who were dining at Applebee’s, contacted him about issues with the restaurant’s employees. Allen then responded to Applebee’s and confronted employees while armed. During the argument, Allen grabbed the handgrip of the gun that was partially concealed in his pocket.
Allen was taken to Troop 1, where he was charged with the following crimes:
Allen was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $30,000 secured bond.
**UPDATE** The Dover Police Department is cancelling the Gold Alert for John Holland. He has been located.
Incident/Complaint#: 50-23-36005
Date: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 block South Governors Avenue, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for John Holland, 59, of Dover, DE. Holland suffers from a condition that may pose a risk to his health and safety if not properly monitored and treated. Holland is described as a white male, 5’11”, 235 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes. Holland was last seen in the area 300 block of South Governors Avenue on October 31, 2023 at 1530 hours wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and bleu sneakers. Attempts to contact him have been negative.
If you have any information on Holland’s whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111.
We are thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable celestial adventure at the Delmarva Astronomical Star Party (DASP), where the night sky comes alive in all its splendor. Join us for two enchanting nights at one of the Eastern Shore’s darkest spots. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting your journey into stargazing, this event aims to create a community to support, nurture, and share all levels of astronomical passion. It’s your chance to connect with like-minded enthusiasts and astronomers at every level. You can join for the entire three-day event or just one day and night.
Registration Link –> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7W5ag5Kl_xN0tiCTkmzBBhepzC3oo8Ei0xlW7QwSlZgDDSQ/viewform
Event Highlights: ✨ Starry Nights: Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of the night sky at a location known for its minimal light pollution. Witness the Milky Way, constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects.
🌌 Expert Guidance: Our experienced astronomers and host, Hunter Outten, along with our many guests, will provide insightful tips and techniques to enhance your telescope observations. Learn, share, and connect with fellow stargazers.
🔥 Nightly Campfires: Gather around the campfire to share stories, trade tips, and bond with fellow attendees. Roasting marshmallows is highly encouraged!
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Activities: Bring the whole family to engage with fun and educational astronomy-themed activities making this a perfect event for stargazers of all ages. Self-guided astro-crafts like star finders will be available in the lodge. Daytime activities, including hiking trails, are available on the grounds.
🏕️ Overnight Camping: Pitch your tent or set up your trailer/camper on the grounds to fully immerse yourself in the night sky. Fall asleep under a canopy of stars and awaken to the beauty of the cosmos.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your passion for the cosmos with kindred spirits! Mark your calendar, pack your telescope and camping gear, and prepare for a weekend of celestial wonder at the inaugural Delmarva Astronomical Star Party. We look forward to seeing you there! Clear skies and best wishes,
Hunter Outten & Kim Check
Event Organizers
*Grounds Access Code Required to enter Hazel Property. Provided upon reservation confirmation.
The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against personal finance app provider Brigit, alleging that its promises of “instant” cash advances of up to $250 for people living paycheck-to-paycheck were deceptive and that the company locked consumers into a $9.99 monthly membership they couldn’t cancel.
Brigit, also known as Bridge It, Inc., has agreed to settle the FTC’s charges, resulting in a proposed court order that would require the company to pay $18 million in consumer refunds, stop its deceptive marketing promises, and end tactics that prevented customers from cancelling.
“Brigit trapped those consumers least able to afford it into monthly membership plans they struggled to escape from,” said Sam Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Companies that offer cash advances and other alternative financial products have to play by the same rules as other businesses or face potential action by the FTC.”
According to the FTC’s complaint, Brigit advertised its cash advance service online, through social media and through broadcast ads with claims that customers who subscribed to the company’s service would have access to “instant” cash advances of up to $250 “whenever you need it,” and could cancel anytime. Consumers could only access the cash advance features when they signed up for the $9.99 per month “Plus” subscription.
The FTC’s complaint, however, charges that consumers were rarely able to get an advance for the promised $250, and in many cases consumers were not able to receive a cash advance at all. Despite Brigit’s promises that advances would be available with “free instant transfers,” the complaint notes that the company began charging consumers a 99 cent fee for an instant transfer. Consumers who did not pay the fee had to wait up to three business days for their advances.
In addition, the complaint charges that while Brigit claimed to offer “non-recourse” advances with no fees or interest, the company prevented consumers who had an open advance from cancelling their subscription and continued to withdraw $9.99 monthly from their bank account until the advance was paid off. Such monthly charges created significant additional hardship for consumers already struggling to pay off a cash advance.
Even when consumers without an open cash advance attempted to cancel the paid subscription, the complaint charges that the company employed dark patterns—manipulative design tricks—to create a confusing and misleading cancellation process that prevented consumers from cancelling their subscriptions, instead of offering a simple mechanism to cancel, as required by the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA).
The proposed settlement order, which must be approved by a federal judge before it can go into effect, would require Brigit to pay $18 million to the FTC to be used to provide refunds to consumers. In addition, the order would prohibit Brigit from misleading consumers about how much money is available through their advances, how fast the money would be available, any fees associated with delivery, and consumers’ ability to cancel their service. The order would also require the company to make clear disclosures about its subscription products and provide a simple mechanism for consumers to cancel.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 3-0. The FTC filed the complaint and final order in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The staff attorneys on this matter were Patrick Roy, Mark Glassman and James Doty of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Iconic Harriet Tubman Statue Retraces Underground Railroad Trail to Next Destination
CAPE MAY, NJ – On Thursday, November 9, the famed Underground Railroad will once again come alive as the iconic “Beacon of Hope” bronze statue of Harriet Tubman is transported across the Delaware Bay aboard the Cape May – Lewes Ferry (CMLF). Since September 1, 2023, the “Beacon of Hope” has been on exhibit at the Cape May Point Science Center (CMPSC), the first stop on its freedom tour.
“We’re honored to transport the “Beacon of Hope,” said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. “Our ferry route is very similar to one used by escaped enslaved people who would wait for moonless nights to row across the Delaware Bay using the Lighthouse for guidance. It’s fitting and a significant historical moment for this iconic sculpture to cross the Delaware on the Cape May Lewes Ferry.”
The “Beacon of Hope”, which is 13 feet high, is traveling on a 70-foot-long flatbed trailer. The statue and its entourage will board the 10:30 a.m. departure from Cape May, New Jersey on Thursday, November 9.
“To Honor the Underground Railroad, William Still, and Harriet Tubman, the celebrated “Beacon of Hope” sculpture of Tubman was created and now will continue to follow the trail through Maryland, New Jersey, and New York,” said Bob Mullock, President of the Cape May Point Science Center. “Harriet Tubman was very active on Cape Island and William Still, the father of the Underground Railroad, once owned the historic building that today houses the Science Center. We were honored to be the sculpture’s first stop on its travel through time and appreciate the Ferry’s help in getting her to her next destination – Salisbury, Maryland.”
Chronicling the journey of one of our great American heroes, the “Beacon of Hope” has planned stops in Salisbury, Maryland; Rahway, New Jersey; the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; City of Peekskill, New York; and John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Westport, New York.
Designed and produced by Wesley Wofford of Wofford Sculpture Studio, “The Beacon of Hope” is a monument that tells Harriet Tubman’s continuing story and amplifies her message of equality, so that all may hear it.
About the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry is open year-round and has carried more than 43 million passengers since its inception on July 1, 1964. As an integral transportation system connecting the communities and economies on both sides of the Delaware Bay, the Ferry service is a significant catalyst for economic growth and regional tourism activity in New Jersey and Delaware. Its operations sustain over 4,000 jobs while generating tens of millions of dollars in local taxes and hundreds of millions in regional economic activity. For schedules and rates, please visit www.CMLF.com or call 800-643-3779.
About the Cape May Point Science Center
Located in one of the world’s most biodiverse and vital regions, The Center’s mission is to provide unique opportunities and funding to advance ecological research, education, and advocacy and encourage the protection of our piece of nature’s heaven. The Center further aims to uncover and preserve history, and the building it calls home, and the community of Cape May Point. For more information, please visit www.capemaypointsciencecenter.org or email [email protected].
Incident/Complaint#: 50-23-36005
Date: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Location: 300 block South Governors Avenue, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: [email protected]
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for John Holland, 59, of Dover, DE. Holland suffers from a condition that may pose a risk to his health and safety if not properly monitored and treated. Holland is described as a white male, 5’11”, 235 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes. Holland was last seen in the area 300 block of South Governors Avenue on October 31, 2023 at 1530 hours wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and bleu sneakers. Attempts to contact him have been negative.
If you have any information on Holland’s whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111.
Delaware State Police arrested 66-year-old Johnny Diogo, of Greenwood, Delaware, for a 5th offense DUI and drug-related charges on Monday in Milton.
On October 30, 2023, at approximately 3:37 p.m., a trooper on patrol responded to the Valero gas station located at 25772 Deep Branch Road in Milton for a report of a man slumped over the driver’s wheel of a Ford F-150 pick-up truck. When the trooper arrived, he contacted Johnny Diogo, the driver of the F-150. The trooper woke up Diogo, who showed signs of impairment during their interaction. It was determined that Diogo was under the influence after the trooper conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. A search of Diogo and the pick-up truck led to the discovery of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Diogo was taken into custody and transported to Troop 7, where a computer check revealed that he had four previous DUI convictions. He was charged with the following crimes:
Diogo was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $3,200 secured bond.
The Delaware State Police have arrested 66-year-old Wayne Long of Berlin, Maryland, for multiple counts of felony sexual solicitation of a child as part of an ongoing investigation. Detectives are seeking assistance in identifying potential victims associated with the investigation occurring in the Sussex County area.
On October 19, 2023, Delaware State Police Troop 4 Youth Aid Detectives began investigating the possible sexual solicitation of a child after learning Wayne Long requested sexually explicit images from multiple underage male children through Snapchat in exchange for transportation to and from the beach in Sussex County. At this time, detectives have identified two victims who were targeted by Long on multiple occasions over the course of several months this past summer. Long is a former custodian with the Indian River School District. He supports several athletic teams, including Sussex Central High School, but has been known to attend sporting events and other events at various local school districts. Detectives have reason to believe there are additional unidentified victims who may have been targeted through Snapchat or potentially other social media platforms over the past couple of years.
On October 30, 2023, Long responded to Troop 4 after detectives contacted him by phone. He was charged with the following crimes:
Long was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $80,000 cash bond.
The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Youth Aid Unit continues to investigate this incident in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice. Detectives are asking anyone with information or who may be a victim to please contact Detective R. Mears by calling 302-752-3809. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred early this morning in Smyrna that left one man dead.
On October 30, 2023, at approximately 2:06 a.m., a green 2012 Ford F-150 was traveling eastbound on Wheatleys Pond Road, west of Bryn-Zion Road in Smyrna. Simultaneously, a black 2011 Lincoln Town Car was traveling westbound on Wheatleys Pond Road, approaching the Ford. It is unclear at this time as to which vehicle crossed the centerline causing the right front side of the Ford to impact with the right front side of the Lincoln on the southern part of the eastbound lane. After the impact, the Ford traveled in a southeasterly direction while rotating clockwise and rolled onto the driver’s side. The Ford came to rest in the westbound lane, still on its driver’s side, and became fully engulfed in flames. Post impact, the Lincoln was forced in a northeasterly direction while rotating counterclockwise, where it exited the roadway and struck a utility pole. The Lincoln came to rest in the roadside grass after the impact from the utility pole caused it to deflect westbound.
The driver of the Lincoln, a 71-year-old man from Henderson, Maryland, was taken by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.
The driver of the Ford fled from the scene of the crash and is unknown at this time. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the scene was investigated and the roadway was cleared.
The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal W. Booth by calling 302-698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
The Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide that occurred in Laurel on Sunday afternoon.
On October 29, 2023, at approximately 2:47 p.m., troopers responded to a reported shooting on the 500 block of West 7th Street in the town limits of Laurel. Arriving troopers located an 18-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the porch of a residence. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified. Two additional victims were located on the porch, suffering from gunshot wounds to the lower extremities. The 15-year-old male and the 13-year-old male were transported to an area hospital, where they remain admitted in stable condition. All three victims are from Laurel, Delaware.
Due to the nature of the investigation, the Laurel Police Department requested that the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assume the investigation. A preliminary investigation revealed two unknown suspects approached the victims on foot and started shooting. After numerous rounds were fired, the suspects fled on foot in an unknown direction. The investigation has determined that this was not the result of an active shooter situation.
The Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective M. Csapo by calling 302-741-2729. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
The Delaware State Police have arrested 44-year-old Lori Davenport of Clayton, Delaware, for the burglary of a Dover residence that occurred in August.
On August 21, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m., troopers responded to a residence located on the 1000 block of Dinahs Corner Road in Dover for a report of a burglary by the 53-year-old homeowner. During the investigation, troopers learned the homeowner returned to his home and discovered several items were missing. On August 18, 2023, a witness contacted the homeowner about a suspicious woman leaving his property in a green sedan with a weed whacker protruding from her car. Through investigative means, Troop 3 Property Crimes Detectives identified the suspect as Lori Davenport, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
On October 26, 2023, troopers responded to the Walmart located at 36 Jerome Drive in Dover after receiving a report that Davenport was in the store shoplifting. Upon arriving, troopers located Davenport inside the Walmart, and she was taken into custody without incident.
Davenport was taken to Troop 9 and charged with the following crimes:
Davenport was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on her own recognizance.
The Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide that occurred in the parking lot of a strip mall last night in Selbyville.
On October 28, 2023, at approximately 11:56 p.m., troopers responded to a reported shooting in the parking lot of a strip mall located at 36334 Dupont Boulevard in Selbyville. Arriving troopers observed several vehicles fleeing the scene and located numerous shell casings in the parking lot. Shortly thereafter, troopers received reports of a 21-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound at a nearby hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced dead. The Milford woman’s name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified. A second victim, a 30-year-old woman from Seaford, Delaware, was also taken by a private vehicle to a nearby hospital, where she was treated and released for a gunshot wound to her upper extremity.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a Halloween party took place at a business within the strip mall. At some point during the event, a fight broke out and the party goers were asked to disperse. The fight continued in the parking lot, at which point an unknown suspect displayed a handgun and began shooting. The two victims were not involved in the altercation. The 21-year-old victim was attempting to get to her car when she was struck in the upper torso. The 30-year-old victim was seated in her car in the parking lot when it was struck by gunfire. Following the shooting, the crowd dispersed, and the unknown suspect fled the area in an unknown direction.
The Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective A. Bluto by calling 302-741-2859. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, Jonathan Braun, who controlled small-business funding company RCG Advances, will face a permanent ban from the merchant cash advance and debt collection industries. A federal court issued summary judgment in favor of the FTC in the case along with a permanent injunction against Braun.
“Mr. Braun and his company targeted small business consumers with an egregious array of tactics, from predatory contract terms to violent threats, and the court’s opinion is a significant win on their behalf,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This case makes clear that the FTC will fight back against those who prey on small businesses.”
The FTC sued Braun in June 2020, along with four other defendants, for his role with RCG Advances, which formerly did business as Richmond Capital Group, charging that he deceived small businesses and other organizations by misrepresenting the terms of merchant cash advances the business provided, and then used unfair collection practices, including sometimes threatening physical violence, to compel consumers to pay.
The suit also alleged that Braun and the other defendants made unauthorized withdrawals from consumers’ accounts and required businesses and their owners to sign confessions of judgment as part of their contracts, which allowed the defendants to go immediately to court and obtain an uncontested judgment in case of an alleged default. The complaint alleges that the defendants unlawfully and unfairly used these confessions of judgment to seize consumers’ personal and business assets in circumstances not expected by consumers or permitted by the defendants’ financing contracts.
The court’s opinion granting summary judgment in favor of the FTC found that Braun engaged in “extensive misconduct” that violated both the FTC Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Act, and that Braun was liable for the damages caused by his and the company’s unlawful conduct.
The permanent injunction includes a number of key provisions:
The court has scheduled a trial for January 2024 to determine the amount of monetary relief that should be imposed for Braun’s law violations.
The other defendants in the FTC’s case previously settled the FTC’s charges against them, resulting in industry bans and monetary relief totaling more than $2 million.
The Federal Trade Commission is sending nearly $100 million in refunds to consumers who lost money as a result of internet phone service provider Vonage imposing junk fees and creating obstacles to those who try to cancel their service.
According to the FTC’s November 2022 complaint, Vonage used dark patterns to make it difficult for consumers to cancel their service and often continued to illegally charge them even after they spoke to an agent directly and requested cancellation. The company agreed to a settlement with the FTC that required it to pay refunds to consumers harmed by the company’s actions, make its cancellation process simple and transparent, and stop charging consumers without their consent.
The FTC is sending payments to 389,106 consumers. Most consumers will get a check in the mail. Recipients should cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Eligible consumers who did not have an address on file will receive a PayPal payment, which should be redeemed within 30 days. Consumers who have questions about their payment should contact the refund administrator, Epiq, at 1-877-525-4728 or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
The Commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2022, Commission actions led to more than $392 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
The number of cigarettes that the largest cigarette companies in the United States sold to wholesalers and retailers nationwide decreased from 190.2 billion in 2021 to 173.5 billion in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s most recent Cigarette Report. The report also states that in 2022, menthol flavored cigarettes comprised 36 percent of the market among major manufacturers.
The amount spent on cigarette advertising and promotion decreased from $8.06 billion in 2021 to $8.01 billion in 2022. Price discounts paid to cigarette retailers ($5.74 billion) and wholesalers ($1.14 billion) were the two largest expenditure categories in 2022. Combined spending on price discounts accounted for 85.9 percent of industry spending.
According to the Smokeless Tobacco Report, smokeless tobacco sales decreased from 122 million pounds in 2021 to 113.3 million pounds in 2022. The revenue from those sales rose from $4.96 billion in 2021 to $4.98 billion in 2022. Menthol flavored smokeless tobacco products comprised more than half of all sales and fruit flavored smokeless tobacco products comprised 2.6 percent of pounds sold.
Spending on advertising and promotion by the major manufacturers of smokeless tobacco products in the U.S. decreased from $575.5 million in 2021 to $572.7 million in 2022. The two largest spending categories in 2022 were price discounts paid to retailers, which were $360.5 million, and promotional allowances paid to wholesalers, which were $44.7 million.
Smokeless tobacco manufacturers also reported selling $1.06 billion of nicotine lozenges, pucks and pouches not containing tobacco in 2022, more than double the $452.8 million sold in 2020.
The Commission has issued the Cigarette Report periodically since 1967 and the Smokeless Tobacco Report periodically since 1987. The Commission vote to issue both reports was 3-0.
The primary staffer on the reports is Michael Ostheimer in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Federal Trade Commission has approved an amendment to the Safeguards Rule that would require non-banking institutions to report certain data breaches and other security events to the agency.
The FTC’s Safeguards Rule requires non-banking financial institutions, such as mortgage brokers, motor vehicle dealers, and payday lenders, to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive security program to keep their customers’ information safe. In October 2021, the FTC announced it had finalized changes to the Safeguards Rule to strengthen the data security safeguards that financial institutions are required to put in place to protect their customers’ financial information. The FTC also sought comment on a proposed supplemental amendment to the Safeguards Rule that would require financial institutions to report certain data breaches and other security events to the Commission.
“Companies that are trusted with sensitive financial information need to be transparent if that information has been compromised,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The addition of this disclosure requirement to the Safeguards Rule should provide companies with additional incentive to safeguard consumers’ data.”
The amendment announced today requires financial institutions to notify the FTC as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days after discovery, of a security breach involving the information of at least 500 consumers. Such an event requires notification if unencrypted customer information has been acquired without the authorization of the individual to which the information pertains. The notice to the FTC must include certain information about the event, such as the number of consumers affected or potentially affected.
The breach notification requirement becomes effective 180 days after publication of the rule in the Federal Register.
The Commission voted 3-0 to publish the notice amending the Safeguards Rule in the Federal Register.
The lead staffers on this matter are David Lincicum and Mark Eichorn in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Nearly 6,000 homes and businesses connected through ARPA funding in last year, with remaining locations to be connected by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, other federal funding
SMYRNA, Del. – Governor John Carney joined state leaders and representatives of Comcast, Verizon, Mediacom, and the Communication Workers of America (CWA) at the Innovation Technology Exploration Center to celebrate progress on broadband expansion and preview next steps. With federal investments from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated by Governor Carney, Delaware has successfully connected nearly 6,000 homes, businesses, and organizations to broadband in the last year. Delaware is on track to become the first state in the nation to be fully-connected.
President Biden signed the nearly $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) —legislation championed by Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester— to provide COVID-19 relief to millions of Americans, and Governor Carney assigned $33 million of Delaware’s share for broadband expansion.
“Our goal is to have Delaware be the first state in the country to connect every home and business to high-speed internet within the next few years. If there is any state that can connect every home and business, it ought to be Delaware,” said Governor John Carney. “Every family deserves high-quality internet for school, work, and entertainment. I want to thank the members of the federal delegation and the Biden Administration providing this funding. It’s really making a difference for Delawareans.”
In the last 12 months, the State of Delaware and Comcast, Medicom, and Verizon have made high-speed internet available for the first time to 5,859 homes and businesses, mainly in rural areas of the state. There are 372 locations remaining to be installed with ARPA funding. Those locations will be reached over the next few months. Once those residences are competed, the State of Delaware will have spent $33 million in ARPA funding on broadband connection.
To learn more about how Delawareans have benefitted from ARPA funding, visit Governor Carney’s website.
President Biden signed the nearly $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) —legislation championed by Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester— to provide COVID-19 relief to millions of Americans. Governor Carney assigned $33 million of Delaware’s share for broadband expansion.
“The American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to deliver for Delaware – this time connecting thousands of our residents to broadband internet who didn’t have access before,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “The pandemic exacerbated many shortcomings with our broadband infrastructure, when so many Americans relied on it to connect to doctors for telehealth appointments, conduct schoolwork online, or work remotely. Today’s announcement connecting thousands of homes, businesses, and organizations to broadband is a win-win for Delaware and the success of these historic pieces of legislation.”
“The pandemic made clear just how necessary it is for every home in Delaware to have a fast, reliable, and affordable internet connection,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “I’m proud to have worked with President Biden to negotiate and pass both American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These two critical pieces of legislation are directly benefiting Delawareans, sending millions of dollars to the state to ensure that all Delawareans can access the internet and critical digital services.”
“Having helped author the broadband provisions of the American Rescue Plan, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I couldn’t be more proud that Delaware is on track to be the first state in the nation that is fully connected. Since day one of his Administration, President Biden has made clear his commitment to investing in the people and places that make America strong — and today, we’re celebrating those investments right here in Delaware,” said US. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester. “Already almost 6,000 Delaware homes and businesses have been connected to the internet, and that means access to jobs, employment, health care and more. I’m thrilled to join Governor Carney and Senators Carper and Coons in celebrating this achievement for Delaware, and I look forward to keeping the momentum going with help of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
“Investment in high-quality broadband is a game-changer for families, communities, and businesses. Today, there are families who can now access job information, telehealth, online reading materials and more thanks to these ARPA investments and commitment from our federal and state officials and partners. To close the digital divide and ensure every Delawarean is successful and thriving, it’s important to build on this work. Every household, every community deserves to be connected to high-speed internet,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.
The Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) led this project for the State. DTI contracted providers already serving Delawareans with internet and found efficient ways for those providers to extend their existing networks using ARPA funding.
“Reliable and affordable high-speed internet is essential, and this investment of ARPA funding means that more than 6,000 additional Delaware homes and businesses will have the access they need,” said Greg Lane, CIO, Delaware Department of Technology and Information. “We know our work is far from over. Additional federal funding from the BEAD and Digital Equity Programs will support the connection of an estimated remaining Delaware 8,600 addresses, as well as help us ensure that everyone can take advantage of digital technologies that are accessible and affordable.”
“In partnership with Governor Carney and the Department of Technology and Information, Comcast is proud to complete the expansion of its Xfinity 10G Network to more than 2,600 additional homes and businesses in rural Delaware,” said Michael Parker, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Beltway Region. “This is a great example of a public-private partnership that will not only help bridge the digital divide in rural Delaware, but also help fuel innovation and economic growth for decades to come.”
“We applaud Governor Carney and his team for their leadership in establishing a robust broadband program in Delaware,” said Eric Fitzgerald Reed, Public Policy & State Government Affairs for the DE, PA and NJ Region at Verizon. “Verizon is focused on delivering broadband internet services and this partnership expands high-speed broadband access to thousands of residents and will better connect our communities. We look forward to similar opportunities in other communities as they arise.”
“The public private partnership between the State of Delaware and Mediacom has brought world-class broadband services to nearly 1,600 homes and businesses in rural Sussex County that were previously unserved,” said Chris Lord, Mediacom’s Director of Government Partnerships. “Governor Carney and the staff at the Delaware Broadband Office should be commended for their steadfast commitment to eliminating the digital divide for all Delawareans.”
“CWA members are proud to have played a role in Delaware’s successful use of ARPA funds to connect an additional 6,000 Delaware homes and businesses to high-speed internet,” said Mike Watson, President of the Communication Workers of America, Local 13101. “This is just the start. With an additional $107 million in federal funds from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, Delaware can ensure that everyone in our state has access to reliable, high-speed internet services. And by setting high labor standards for broadband infrastructure projects, we can make sure it is done right, and create good, family-supporting jobs in the process.”
DTI is now planning to use Delaware’s funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to complete the work of connecting all Delaware homes and businesses, along with additional federal funding administered by the FCC. To learn more about broadband expansion in Delaware, visit the Delaware Department of Technology and Information’s website.
Delaware State Police investigated a threatening image reported by Cape Henlopen High School and Sussex Central High School.
On October 25, 2023, at approximately 2:44 p.m., the Cape Henlopen High School staff contacted the Delaware State Police regarding a concerning image of a gun and a threat to the school that is circulating on social media. In addition, Sussex Central High School staff contacted the Delaware State Police regarding the same concerning image. The investigation revealed the image has been circulating nationwide for the last several years. At this time, the Delaware State Police has no intelligence indicating that the threat was credible. Be mindful that the absence of intelligence does not mean the lack of a threat. Always call 911 to report suspicious activity.
The Newark Halloween Parade is this Sunday October 29. From 1430 – 1700 hours, the parade route will close the entire length of East Main Street from Library Avenue to South College Avenue. Local traffic will be permitted between Library Avenue and Tyre Avenue….
The Dover Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking that occurred Tuesday evening. The investigation began when officers were called to Sam’s Club at 7:11 p.m. for the report of an armed carjacking. Officers responded and contacted the victim, a 26-year-old male of Magnolia, who advised that he was approached by two black males in the parking lot of Sam’s Club, one of which was armed with a handgun. The suspects demanded the victim turn over property, including the victim’s car keys, and he complied. One suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle, which is a 2019 Dodge Charger Scat Pack with Delaware Registration 223742. The second suspect fled in a white four door sedan with window tint. Officers check the area for the vehicles and suspects with negative results.
Suspect 1 is described as a skinny black male, approximately 5’6″-5’7″, wearing a black ski mask, dark clothing, with a white scarf with a plaid design armed with a handgun.
Suspect 2 is described as a skinny black male approximately 6’1″ – 6’2″, with no clothing description provided.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
On Saturday October 28th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Newark Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted…
The Federal Trade Commission sued to stop four related defendants from deceptively marketing their 1 Virus Buster Invisible Mask (Invisible Mask) that purportedly creates a three-foot barrier of protection against 99.9 percent of all viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19 – without any scientific proof that the product actually works.
Despite receiving a warning letter that the FTC
sent in July 2020, the New York-based defendants continued falsely advertising the Invisible Mask—a badge worn around the neck—as a scientifically proven defense against COVID-19 and other diseases and that it was a government-approved device, according to the FTC’s complaint.
Three of the four defendants have agreed to a proposed order settling the FTC’s complaint, and will be banned from making unsupported health claims for products designed to prevent or treat COVID-19.
“The defendants’ claims that their products can stand in for approved COVID-19 vaccines are bogus,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will use every tool it has at its disposal to stop false and unsubstantiated health claims that endanger consumers.”
The complaint alleges defendants Gary Kong, Timothy Wetzel, and the two companies they operate, K W Technology Inc. and K W Technology NV Inc., violated the FTC Act and the Covid Consumer Protection Act through their marketing and sale of the Invisible Mask on their own website, YouTube, and Facebook, where it was called “The 1 Virus Buster Card.”
This card, which was worn around the neck or clipped onto clothing, was sold using deceptive claims, the FTC says. For example, the defendants claimed their product “uses quantum theory technology, combines known virus and bacteria killing compounds. It is safe, simple, and effective. All you need to do is hang it around your neck or attach it to your collar, close to your mouth and nose. . . it kills 99.9% of most harmful bacterial and viruses . . . within a three-foot radius.”
The FTC contends the defendants have no reliable scientific evidence to support their claims that the Invisible Mask can prevent any human disease, and that despite contacting the FTC after receiving the warning letter and vowing to stop making such claims, they simply continued deceptively marketing the product.
The complaint also alleges the defendants falsely claimed that the Invisible Mask or its materials are government approved or made in a government-approved facility. They also falsely claimed the Invisible Mask had “FDA Approval” and that that the materials used to make it are “EPA-approved.” On their website the defendants posted a phony “Certificate of Registration” with the FDA’s logo, despite the fact that no such agency certificate exists.
Three of the defendants have agreed to settle the FTC’s complaint in this case. A proposed court order will ban defendants Kong and his two companies, K W Technology Inc. and K W Technology NV Inc., from advertising, promoting, or selling any product claiming to prevent or treat COVID-19, unless the claims are true and supported by scientific evidence. The order also will bar the defendants from making any health-related product claims unless they have scientific evidence that the claim is true and from making misrepresentations about products’ health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects.
The order also prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting they have government approval, clearance, or authority for their products and product claims. Finally, it requires the payment of $150,000.
The Commission voted 3-0 to file the complaint and proposed stipulated order against defendants Kong, K W Technology Inc. and K W Technology NV Inc. The FTC filed the documents in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Litigation continues against defendant Wetzel, who did not agree to the proposed settlement.
The lead attorney on the matter is Robin L. Rock of the FTC’s Southeast Region.
The Federal Trade Commission and State of Wisconsin are taking action against Wisconsin auto dealer group Rhinelander Auto Center, its current and former owners, and general manager Daniel Towne for deceiving consumers by tacking hundreds or even thousands of dollars in illegal junk fees onto car prices and for discriminating against American Indian customers by charging them higher financing costs and fees.
The defendants have agreed to proposed court orders that will require Rhinelander’s current owners and Towne to stop their unlawful practices and provide $1.1 million to be used for refunds to consumers.
“Working closely with the State of Wisconsin, we are holding these dealerships accountable for discriminating against American Indian customers and sneaking junk fees onto consumers’ bills,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “A vehicle is one of the most expensive purchases families make, and we are fully committed to ensuring that all consumers navigating the car-buying process can do so without facing unlawful discrimination or paying for products and services they do not want.”
“Companies must not be permitted to engage in discriminatory practices or improperly charge customers for ‘add-on’ products or services,” said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to those at Wisconsin DOJ, the FTC, and other agencies whose work led to the filing of this complaint.”
In their complaint, the FTC and Wisconsin DOJ say that Rhinelander and Towne regularly charged many of their customers junk fees for “add-on” products or services without their consent. The complaint cites one survey of Rhinelander customers that shows half of the dealer’s customers said they were charged for add-ons without authorization or through deception. One consumer was told—deceptively—that Guaranteed Asset Protection (commonly referred to as “GAP,” or “GAP insurance”) was required for her car purchase, even though she didn’t want to buy it; it cost her more than $1,000 in fees and additional interest on her loan.
Rhinelander and Towne discriminated against American Indian customers in the cost of financing by adding more “markup” to their interest rates, according to the FTC’s complaint. This additional markup cost American Indian customers $401 more on average compared to non-Latino white customers. The complaint also notes that, since Rhinelander changed ownership in 2019, the disparity has only increased.
In addition, the complaint alleges that American Indian customers were charged for unwanted add-ons at a higher rate than non-Latino white customers. These additional junk fees can significantly drive up the amount that customers finance when they purchase their vehicle, which in turn leads to higher cost over the life of the loan. In total, American Indians paid on average approximately $1,362 more for add-ons in credit transactions than non-Latino White customers since 2016, and $1,374 more since the new ownership took over, according to the complaint.
The proposed settlement with Rhinelander’s current owners and Towne will require the company to stop deceiving consumers about whether add-ons are required for a purchase and obtain consumers’ express informed consent before charging them for add-ons. The settlement will also the require the defendants to establish a comprehensive fair lending program that, among other components, will allow consumers to seek outside financing for a purchase and cap the additional interest markup Rhinelander can charge consumers. The current owners and Towne will also be required to pay $1 million to be used to refund affected consumers.
The former owners, Rhinelander Auto Center, Inc. and Rhinelander Motor Company, have agreed to a separate settlement that would require the companies to permanently wind down the businesses and pay $100,000 to be used to refund affected consumers.
The Commission vote to authorize FTC staff to file the complaint and to approve the proposed stipulated final orders was 3-0. The complaint and proposed final orders were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
In addition to its partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Justice in this case, the FTC also thanks Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation; Department of Financial Institutions; and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, as well as the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin, for their assistance with this matter.
NOTE: The Commission authorizes the filing of a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Consent judgments have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The FTC attorneys on this matter are Nathan Nash, Rachel Sifuentes and Rachel Granetz of the FTC’s Midwest Region.
The settlement with the State of Wisconsin is dependent on approval by Wisconsin’s Joint Committee on Finance per the requirements of 2017 Wisconsin Act 369.
Attempt to Locate Vehicle Pursuit Suspect
The Laurel Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance locating the below pictured suspect for an active warrant related to a high-speed vehicle pursuit.
On 10/16/23 at approximately 7:50pm, a Laurel Police Officer on patrol attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a green Honda Civic after observing the vehicle traveling at 103MPH in a 55MPH zone. The officer also noticed the vehicle was displaying a fictitious registration plate.
Upon attempting to stop the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed. The officer briefly pursued the vehicle as it made multiple unsafe lane changes, disregarded traffic control devices, and passed in no-passing zones. The officer eventually discontinued the pursuit in the interest of public safety.
Further investigation determined the correct registration for the vehicle, along with the identification of the driver at the time of the pursuit. The driver was identified as Jason Dailey (35) of Milford, DE.
As a result of this incident, the investigating officer obtained warrants for Dailey’s arrest to answer for the following crimes:
-Disregarding Police Signal (Class G Felony)
-Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)
-Driving While License Suspended/Revoked (Misdemeanor)
-Aggressive Driving (Misdemeanor)
-Reckless Driving 90MPH or Greater (Misdemeanor)
-Several Additional Traffic Violations
The issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a subject is merely a showing of probable cause by the investigating agency related to the above incident. The subject, once arrested, is considered to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A recent photo of Dailey’s vehicle is being included with this release due to the distinct features of the vehicle. If a member of the public observes Dailey or the pictured vehicle, please call 911. Please do not approach or attempt to confront Dailey.
Anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity is asked to contact the Laurel Police Department at 302-875-2244 or by direct message to this page. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crimestoppers by texting “KEYWORD” followed by your information to CRIMES (274637). Tips submitted to Crimestoppers that lead to an arrest are potentially eligible for a cash reward.
Complaint 70-23-3370
On October 14, 2023, Newark Police responded to the rear of a business in Shoppes at Louviers on Louviers Drive for a report of an indecent exposure. Officers detained a male subject, identified as Patrick Ellison, 27, of Middletown. The reporting person was not…
