State Police Arrest Former Police Officer for Rape

Date Posted: Friday, May 8th, 2026

The Delaware State Police have arrested 33-year-old William Paskey of Harrington, Delaware, a former Delaware and Maryland police officer, for rape following a sexual assault investigation.

In May 2025, the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit began investigating a sexual assault allegation against William Paskey. Detectives learned that in September 2022, Paskey met the female victim on a dating app and invited her to his residence in Harrington. The victim reported that during the date, Paskey became aggressive and engaged in nonconsensual sexual acts with her, refusing her multiple requests to stop. Paskey was employed as a law enforcement officer at the time of the incident, but was not on duty.

After consulting with the Delaware Department of Justice, a warrant for Paskey’s arrest was obtained, and he was taken into custody on May 5, 2026, without incident. Paskey was taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with Rape Second Degree (Felony), arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released after posting a $20,000 secured bond.

Paskey is a former Delaware police officer who, between 2014 and 2021, was employed by various departments, including the Dagsboro, Ellendale, and Blades Police Departments. Most recently, Paskey was employed as a police officer for the Town of Ridgely Police Department in Maryland.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information or who may be a victim to please contact Sergeant P. Taylor by calling (302) 698-8547. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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.

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.