DOJ announces arrest of Delmar officer in stalking, sexual contact investigations

A Delmar police officer has been arrested on a number of criminal charges.

On March 18, 2026, Darrell T. Powell was arrested on 2 charges of Official Misconduct and one charge of Unlawful Sexual Contact, as well as charges of Stalking and Offensive Touching. The arrest follows an investigation by the Seaford Police Department.

"No one, regardless of their profession, is above the law - and my office will adhere to that standard as we move forward." said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "I'm grateful to our prosecutors and the Seaford Police Department for their work in investigating this case. I want to express my profound gratitude to the victims for their courage in reaching out to law enforcement - and I ask that any further victims or witnesses with information come forward."

The investigation showed that Powell responded to a shoplifting call at a Delmar, Delaware grocery store on January 7, 2026. While there, Powell inappropriately touched and made sexual comments toward a staff member. Later that evening, a family member of the victim observed a police patrol vehicle passing by the victim's home multiple times. The indictment also describes an incident that occurred on February 24, 2026, when Powell inappropriately touched a staff member at a local store while on duty; he had made inappropriate comments to the staff member in the months before this. On another occasion, he followed this victim home from work, pulling them over without giving a reason and without asking for license and registration.

Upon receiving this information on February 26, Officer Powell was immediately relieved of all police duties and suspended pending investigation, and the State of Delaware immediately directed that an independent investigation be conducted by an outside agency. Powell is being held on $27,500 cash bail. The DOJ reminds the public that charges are allegations and that all defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence until they have been proven guilty.

If anyone believes they have additional information about this case, or that they have been the victim of inappropriate conduct by the defendant, please contact Delaware Department of Justice Special Investigator Timothy Argoe at 302.257.3294.

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