Delaware Trooper Pleads Guilty to Felonies

A Delaware State Police trooper who assaulted two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, pleaded guilty on Friday to multiple charges, including two felonies and four misdemeanors, which included deprivation of civil rights, as reported by the Delaware Department of Justice.Show more

This marks the first instance of the state employing the Deprivation of Civil Rights statute enacted in 2022.

Dempsey Walters was indicted in September after allegedly punching a handcuffed 15-year-old so severely that it resulted in a concussion and a fractured eye socket. His trial was slated to commence on July 22.

Despite prior indications from the Delaware State Police of their intention to terminate Walters, spokesperson Sgt. India Sturgis confirmed on Friday that he remains suspended without pay or benefits since the late-August incident.

An attorney representing the victims expressed gratitude towards the Attorney General's Office for securing Walters' conviction.

"The question remains as to how the Delaware State Police could have allowed a breakdown in their chain of command, enabling this trooper to wield law enforcement authority in such a reckless manner, which is still a mystery," stated Sam Davis, one of the attorneys representing the affected teens and their families. "Moreover, we believe that not all individuals involved in the assault have been charged."

However, the families are anticipating that the court will administer an appropriate sentence that will help them move forward from this ordeal.

Here's what transpired:

Law enforcement and court records detail an incident involving Walters and the 17-year-old several days before the assault.

On August 17, while off-duty and returning home to Lancaster Village in Elsmere, Walters encountered the 17-year-old, leading to a "verbal altercation," according to the Delaware Department of Justice. Subsequently, Walters contacted Elsmere police.

Two officers then escorted the teenager to his residence on Taft Avenue, where he was handed over to his mother without facing any charges.

The following day, Walters accessed the 17-year-old's information on DELJIS, a law enforcement database with controlled access—utilization of which is strictly prohibited for personal matters.

Four days later, a 15-year-old and others engaged in a "ding-dong ditch" activity at Walters' residence around 8:30 p.m. Security footage from Walters' home captured the 15-year-old kicking the door and then fleeing. Upon receiving this information from his girlfriend, Walters left work and drove home.

While en route, Walters again accessed the 17-year-old's address and alerted Delaware State Police and other law enforcement agencies for assistance, citing an attempted home invasion. This triggered a substantial police response, including K-9 units and a state police helicopter, involving up to 30 officers.

Upon being informed that the group had fled towards Taft Avenue, Walters met with two Newport officers and proceeded to the home of the 17-year-old, whom he had clashed with earlier. Brandishing his firearm, Walters and another officer ordered the 17-year-old and a friend out of their residence.

"Walters forcefully removed (the teen) from the doorway and forced him to the ground, resulting in injuries," stated the state Justice Department.

Simultaneously, the 15-year-old was being apprehended elsewhere. As he lay face-down with handcuffs, Walters struck him on the back of his neck and head with his knee. This was captured by Walters' bodycam, which continued recording for 30 seconds after being switched off.

The 15-year-old, who sustained a concussion and fractured eye socket requiring surgical intervention, was left unattended in a police vehicle for approximately 30 minutes.

Both teens continue to endure physical and psychological ramifications from the incident.

In response to the guilty plea, New Castle County Councilman Jea P. Street expressed satisfaction and emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the circumstances, questioning how Walters could elicit such an extensive law enforcement response single-handedly.

While the plea marks a significant development, it does not signal the conclusion of the investigation, as state police continue their inquiry.

During a press conference, attorneys representing the victims asserted that the state's account of events was an understatement, highlighting several unaddressed issues from the incident.

Walters' sentencing will be recommended at 18 months in prison as part of the plea deal.

For more information or leads, contact Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com or Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com.