The Delaware State Police have arrested four people on various criminal charges following an investigation into a suspicious vehicle in Harbeson early yesterday morning.

On January 11, 2023, at approximately 5:48 a.m., troopers responded to Phillips Branch Road east of Indian Mission Road after receiving a call of a suspicious vehicle in the area. Troopers were advised that it had appeared that a woman had been involved in an altercation with two men outside of the car. Troopers located a 2016 blue Honda Civic and contacted the four occupants. The driver, identified as Samuel Mondestin, 19, of Seaford, Delaware, had a suspicious item visibly protruding from his sock. This item was discovered to be a small bottle that contained approximately 5.01 grams of cocaine. Mondestin was also discovered to be in possession of ammunition and approximately 0.028 grams of suspected heroin. Mondestin was taken into custody without incident.

After the drugs were discovered, troopers asked the other three occupants to exit the vehicle. Both rear passengers, identified as Witley Francin, 19, of Lincoln, Delaware, and Ryan Simpson, 18, of Milford, Delaware, did not comply, and both physically resisted arrest. Despite this, troopers were able to take Francin and Simpson into custody after a short time. A search of Francin led to the discovery of approximately 5.99 grams of crack cocaine, and a search of Simpson led to the discovery of a pair of brass knuckles and 14 prescription pills. Front-seat passenger Jocelyn Flores-Estrada, 20, of Milton, Delaware, also resisted arrest, but was taken into custody at the scene.

Troopers searched the Honda Civic and recovered a loaded Ruger handgun and approximately 2.43 grams of marijuana. The handgun had been reported as stolen by the Dover Police Department in August 2022. Mondestin was also found to be violating an active court order prohibiting him from possessing firearms.

All four defendants were taken to Troop 7 and charged with the following crimes:

Samuel Mondestin:

• Possession of a Firearm While Possessing a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
• Breach of Release (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence
• Possession of a Controlled Substance

Mondestin was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $41,500 cash bond.

Witley Francin:

• Possession of a Firearm While Possessing a Controlled Substance (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Francin was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $21,500 cash bond.

Ryan Simpson:

• Resisting Arrest
• Carrying a Concealed Dangerous Instrument
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Simpson was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and was released on $2,000 unsecured bond.

Jocelyn Flores-Estrada:

• Resisting Arrest

Flores-Estrada was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and was released on her own recognizance.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto

Released: 011223  1145

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