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State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Division of State Police
Superintendent Robert M. Coupe |
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DSP News Release: State Police Employee Arrested for Failing to Verify Sex Offender’s Information
Location: State Bureau of Identification, DSP, 655 S. Bay Road, Dover, DE and Persimmon Tree Apartments, Dover, DE
Date of Occurrence: July 27, 2009 to November 5, 2009
Suspect: Finisha E. Mills, 30, Dover, DE
Resume:
Delaware State Police have conducted a 3 week investigation that resulted in the arrested of a state police civilian employee.
On Today’s date Finisha Mills turned herself into the troopers at Troop 3 in Camden. Charges were filed against Mills after an investigation revealed that she intentionally filed false information regarding a registered sex offender’s status information during the scheduled intake process.
The investigation came to light when state troopers assigned to the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registry Unit received a tip via email through the DSP State Bureau of Identification Sex Offenders Web site indicating that Michael Tilghman, 30, was residing at the Persimmon Tree Apartments in Dover. This tip concerned state police investigators since Tilghman was reporting in as “Homeless.”
Troopers launched an investigation and learned that the apartment in question belonged to Mills. Troopers executed a search warrant at Mills’ home and found evidence that Tilghman resided there. During their investigation troopers also determined that Mills and Tilghman were engaged in a relationship.
Troopers discovered that when Tilghman registered at the State Bureau of Identification office, Mills had conducted the intake process on Tilghman numerous times since July 27, 2009 where he reported his status as “homeless.”
Tilghman is a registered Tier III offender and under Title 11 section 4120 relating to the sex offenders, the law is very specific for the classification of “Homeless.” Under section 4120 an offender must exercise due diligence in attempting to secure an anticipated place of future residence and if he/she is unsuccessful then the offender will be classified as “Homeless.” Homeless offenders must also report their habitual locale, park or locations during the day and night, public buildings, restaurants and libraries. Homeless offenders must verify or check in with the State Bureau of Identification every 7 days.
Mills was charged with 8 counts of Entering False Information into Deljis, that charge is classified as a class E felony. Deljis is an acronym for the Delaware Justice Information System. One count of Official Misconduct which is classified as a class A misdemeanor and Conspiracy 2nd which is classified as a class G felony. She was arraigned and released on $25,500.00 unsecured bail. Mills is scheduled to appear in the Court of Common Pleas in and for Kent County on Friday, December 4th, 2009 for a preliminary hearing.
Mills has been suspended without pay and benefits with the intent to dismiss from the Division.
Michael Tilghman was charged with1 count of Failure to Verify Sex Offender Registry Information back on November 5th.
Finisha Mills Michael Tilghman
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