Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

Detectives Arrest Man for Child Sexual Solicitation and Conduct

Date Posted: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

The Delaware State Police arrested 69-year-old Ashwani Kumar of Newark, Delaware, for felony sexual contact and solicitation of a child that occurred last month at a Quality Inn in Newark.

On April 23, 2025, troopers responded to the Quality Inn, located at 65 Geoffrey Drive, Newark, for a report of an unlawful sexual contact incident involving a teenager. Upon arriving, troopers learned that an unknown suspect forced the 15-year-old victim into a stairway, where he made inappropriate sexual contact and sexually solicitated the victim. An unknown witness then entered the stairway, and confronted the suspect, which allowed the victim to escape. Troopers canvassed the area for the suspect, and the witness, but were unable to identify either.

Due to the circumstances, Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Detectives assumed the investigation. In the ensuing investigation, detectives obtained surveillance footage from the Quality Inn, and identified the suspect responsible for the unlawful sexual conduct as Ashwani Kumar.

On May 2, 2025, Kumar was taken into custody by detectives, and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $14,100 cash bond.

Sexual Solicitation of a Child (Felony)
Unlawful Sexual Contact 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Unlawful Imprisonment 2^nd Degree
Offensive Touching

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking witnesses, or anyone with information, or who may be a victim to please contact Detective M. Conway by calling 302-365-8411. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.