Convicted sex offender charged with felonies

A Laurel man faces felony charges after police found him at an Angola-area home July 16.

Danny Adkins, 51, had been wanted by police since at least early June in connection with several felonies, said Sgt. India Sturgis of the Delaware State Police, but in consideration of the victim and the sensitivity of this case, only limited information was released. 

Sturgis said a concerned citizen called police after they observed Adkins in the 20th block of Foxwood Court in the Lochwood development. Adkins was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 7, where he was charged with several undisclosed felonies. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $184,000 cash bond.

Adkins is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 2009 and 2014 of fourth-degree rape, and several counts of second-degree unlawful sexual contact in connection with a victim 12 to 15 years old.

On June 9, police said, Adkins along with Hope Wheatley, 50, of Laurel, and Amanda Adkins, 30, of Bridgeville, went to the Tokyo Steakhouse on Route 1 near Lewes, but left before troopers arrived at the restaurant. Police said Wheatley and Amanda Adkins were uncooperative when they were asked about their involvement with Adkins. On June 29, Wheatley was taken into custody at her residence without incident. She was transported to Troop 4 and charged with felony hindering prosecution. She was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. The same day, Amanda Adkins responded to Troop 4 on her own volition, and also was charged with felony hindering prosecution, arraigned and released on her own recognizance.