Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

Two Arrested for Gun and Drug Offenses Following a Search Warrant in Newark

Date Posted: Sunday, January 25th, 2026

Photo of drug, paraphernalia, and firearm collected from search warrant

The Delaware State Police have arrested 40-year-old Charles Fax Jr. of Newark, Delaware, and 39-year-old Amber Hoffmaster of Bear, Delaware, for felony drug and gun charges following a search warrant in Newark.

On January 23, 2026, members of the New Castle County Drug Unit, the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force, and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on the first block of Leaf Lane in Newark. The search warrant was obtained following a several-month-long investigation of Charles Fax for the distribution of illegal narcotics from the home. During the search warrant, Fax was located near the sump pump in the basement and was detained without incident. Amber Hoffmaster was also detained without incident in the basement.

A search of the residence led to the discovery of the following items:

Approximately 117.25 grams of cocaine floating inside the sump pump’s cavity
Approximately 331 grams of marijuana
Drug paraphernalia to distribute narcotics
14 shotgun shells
Stephens Model 320 shotgun

Fax, who is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition, was arrested and taken to Troop 2. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $206,200 cash bond.

Charles Fax mugshot photo with gray background

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited Prior Violent Crime (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
Tampering with Physical Evidence (Felony)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Hoffmaster was arrested and taken to Troop 2, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $172,200 unsecured bond.

Amber Hoffmaster mugshot photo with gray background

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited Who Also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia