McElhenny sentenced to 11 years in prison
John McElhenny Jr. has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting three girls who were under age 16. He was sentenced Friday, Dec. 10, in Georgetown by Superior Court Richard F. Stokes.
Thomas A. Pedersen, McElhenny’s attorney, said his client must serve a minimum of 10 years, would be required to register as a sex offender and is prohibited from contact with children younger than age 18.
McElhenny was arrested in June after his victims told police about the assaults.
The crimes occurred from January 1998 to December 2000. Delaware law places no time limit on prosecuting any crime defined as a sexual offense. McElhenny could have been sentenced to as much as 29 years in prison.
In October, McElhenny pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree rape and two counts of unlawful sexual contact. He was initially charged with six counts of first-degree rape of a victim less than 16 years old and three counts of second-degree unlawful sexual contact.
At the time of his arrest, McElhenny, 39, was living in Millsboro. He was a Lewes resident when the crimes were committed.
Court documents state the first victim reported unlawful sexual contact to Delaware State Police but because the crimes took place in Lewes, the case was turned over to the Lewes Police Department.
During the course of the original investigation, two additional victims were discovered and the additional offenses involving McElhenny were reported.
Court documents show McElhenny, in separate instances, engaged in sexual intercourse with two victims several times.
Court documents state McElhenny stood in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the children or was an invitee or designee of a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision.
McElhenny was a member of the Lewes Fire Department when he committed the crimes. He was not a member of the fire department when he was arrested.
