Atkins jailed for violating no-contact order
Former Millsboro lawmaker John Atkins was placed at Sussex Correctional Institution July 27 when he failed to post bail on charges of harassment and four counts of violating a no-contact order in separate cases filed by Delaware State Police and Lewes Police Department. He was transferred to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on the same day, prison officials said.
Atkins was arrested July 12 for felony strangulation and third-degree assault. He was released on $7,000 unsecured bond and faces an Aug. 2 court date on those charges. As a condition of release, Atkins was issued a no-contact order July 13.
Ignoring the no-contact order, Atkins repeatedly attempted to call and called, texted and emailed the victim, a former girlfriend, at home and work, court documents show. After the victim asked him to stop, court records show Atkins continued to text her more than 20 times.
On July 20, Lewes Police charged Atkins, 48, with harassment and breach of release. At the time, Atkins was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.
About 9 p.m., July 26, Delaware State Police responded to the victim’s home in response to no-contact violations. Court records show the victim told police Atkins contacted her July 24 from a blocked number. In a 9-minute phone call, Atkins pleaded with her to take him back, court records show. Police say later that day, Atkins again called from the blocked number. When the victim did not answer, Atkins left a voicemail stating that he was stuck on a deck and needed her help.
Court records show after she received this message, the victim learned from a neighbor that Atkins was trying to rent an apartment across the street from her, less than 100 yards away, violating the no-contact order. The victim told police her neighbor said Atkins had entered her apartment when she was not home, records show.
The victim told police that since July 20, she has received 12 calls from the blocked/unknown number and did not know how to report them since they came from an unknown number, records state.
Delaware State Police took Atkins into custody July 27. Court records show Atkins told police that the victim also called him. He admitted to calling her July 24 and to leaving a message stating he was stuck on a deck and needed help. Records also show Atkins told police he looked at an apartment across the street from the victim, and that he purchased a prepaid flip phone in Florida to contact the victim, stating it was her idea.
Atkins was charged with three counts of noncompliance with conditions of recognizance bond or continuous felony for having a nine-minute conversation with the victim, leaving a voicemail on the victim’s phone and for being within 100 yards of her residence. Court records show Atkins was incarcerated in default of $18,000 cash bail. Atkins faces a preliminary hearing Thursday, Aug. 2. Department of Correction spokeswoman Jayme Gravell said Atkins remains incarcerated in pretrial at JTVCC. She would not say why he was transferred to JTVCC from SCI because it is not public information. “Inmates in our custody can be moved for various reasons including operational need, safety of inmate, safety of other inmates/officers, or access to programming and education,” she said.
Also on July 27, Lewes Police obtained a warrant for Atkins’ arrest on harassment and noncompliance with conditions of his bond. Atkins remains incarcerated in default of $5,500 secured bail. He faces a preliminary hearing Friday, Aug. 3, for these charges.
