DSP News Release:  Former Laurel Police Officer Indicted on Rape Charge 

Location of Incidents: 

• Laurel Police Department: Mechanic Street Laurel Delaware
• 100 block W. 10^th Street Laurel Delaware (commercial property)

DATE and TIME:  

• Between June 2002 and December 2004

Victim(s):

• 28 year old Millsboro woman (Current Age)

Defendant(s) Charge(s) and Bond Information:

• Kevin D. Hovatter-32 Laurel, De
• Rape Second Degree
• 10 counts Sexual Extortion
• $40,000 secured bond Sussex Correctional Institute

Resume:

Laurel-Delaware State Police detectives Wednesday February 23, 2011 charged a former Laurel Police Officer with Rape Second Degree and 10 counts of Sexual Extortion. 

As a result of a joint investigation between the Delaware Department of Justice and the Laurel Police Department, State Police detectives arrested Kevin D. Hovatter at his place of employment without incident.

The investigation began as a result of anonymous information obtained by the Delaware Department of Justice and Laurel Police Department.  The investigation by State Police detectives revealed that Hovatter was employed by the Laurel Police Department and on duty during the time of these incidences. 

State Police investigators learned Hovatter while investigating a domestic incident between the victim and her boyfriend took the two individuals back to the Laurel Police Department.  Hovatter during his criminal investigation is alleged to have touched the victim in an inappropriate manner in the processing room of the police station. 

The victim also met Hovatter multiple times on Laurel area commercial business properties for fear of being arrested by Hovatter and sent to jail.  Hovatter again during these meets committed inappropriate acts on the victim. 

State Police detectives February 21, 2011 presented evidence to the Grand Jury who on February 23, 2011 indicted Hovatter for rape and sexual extortion. 

Previous Arrest:

Hovatter was also charged on June 28, 2006 by State Police for an incident which occurred on March 25, 2006.  Hovatter on March 25^th followed a vehicle outside the limits of Laurel and then performed a traffic stop on US 13 near Delmar Delaware. 

The victim who was a passenger in the March 25^th incident was ordered by Hovatter to exit the car she was in and enter his patrol vehicle.  Hovatter drove the 55 year old victim to a rural area and committed an inappropriate act while on duty against the victim. 

Hovatter for this incident was charged with 2 counts of Rape First Degree, Coercion, Official Misconduct and Unlawful Sexual Contact First Degree.  Hovatter has been a Delaware registered sex offender since June 2007. 

Hovatter was arraigned yesterday afternoon on the current crimes and remanded to Sussex Correctional Institute on $40,000 secured bond. 

NOTE:  Please refer all employment status requests to the Laurel Police Department.  302-875-2244

Kevin D. Hovatter