Dover Man Charged with Hate Crime After Assault at Delaware Pride Day 8-21-2018

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-26943

Date/Time:   Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 3:30PM

Location:   Legislative Mall (Legislative Avenue), Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative: 

The Dover Police Department has charged a Dover man with a Hate Crime offense and several other charges stemming from an incident at the Delaware Pride Festival on August 11th, 2018.

At approximately 3:30 on August 11th, officers responded to the Delaware Pride Festival being held on Legislative Mall, for what had been called in as a fight.  Upon arrival, officers were flagged down by several people.  Responding officers contacted a 62-year-old male victim who was bleeding from the mouth.  It was quickly learned that Sean Wiley (31) was the suspect.  When officers asked Wiley about the incident, Wiley was shouting homosexual slurs at the victim and others at the festival and openly stated that he punched the victim in the face.  Wiley was showing obvious signs of alcohol intoxication at the time.

During the officers investigation, it was also learned that Wiley had grabbed private body parts of a 46-year-old female victim and a 31-year-old male victim who were also attending the festival.

While officers were attempting to get an identification from Wiley, Wiley swung at a Dover Police officer.  Wiley was taken to the ground where he continued to resist.  Officers placed Wiley in a patrol vehicle and transported him back to the Dover Police Department.

Wiley was initially charged with Offensive Touching (3 counts), Assault 3rd Degree, Menacing, Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, Trespass 3rd Degree, and Resisting Arrest (felony).  Wiley received a $3,900 secured bond on those charges.

As the post-incident investigation progressed, a warrant was obtained for the charge of Hate Crime for Wiley. On August 16th, 2018, Wiley turned himself in to the Dover Police Department and was processed and arraigned on the Hate Crime charge.

Wiley did receive a $500 secured bond on the Hate Crime charge and was committed to JTVCC, but has since been released on bond.

Sean Wiley