McElhenny pleads guilty to sex offenses against minors
John D. McElhenny Jr. has pleaded guilty to three charges involving sexual contact with minors stemming from crimes occurring from January 1998 to December 2000.
McElhenny, represented by attorney Tom Pedersen, entered pleas Monday, Oct. 18, during case review in Superior Court in Georgetown.
Wearing handcuffs, ankle chains and a white Department of Correction jumpsuit, McElhenny stood before Superior Court Judge E. Scott Bradley pleading guilty to one count of second-degree rape and two counts of unlawful sexual contact.
After accepting the plea, Bradley told McElhenny that on his best day he could expect to receive a minimum sentence of 10 years and could be sentenced to up to 29 years in prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 10, in Superior Court in Georgetown.
McElhenny, 39, of Millsboro, was arrested June 17 and 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.
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.
Delaware law states there is no time limit on prosecuting any crime defined as a sexual offense.
Court documents state McElhenny was a person of trust, authority and supervision over the child.
The first victim reported that she was about 12 years old when McElhenny assaulted her while she was staying with a friend of her mother’s so she could go to a parade in Virginia, in which the Lewes Fire Department would be appearing.
During the course of the investigation, two additional victims were discovered and additional offenses involving McElhenny were reported.
The second victim told police that when she was about 14 years old, McElhenny performed, or made her perform sexual acts.
A third victim reported that when she was between 9 and 12 years old, she was awakened when McElhenny sexually assaulted her as she slept on a sofa.
McElhenny could face enhanced penalties in instances where victims were younger than 14 years old.
McElhenny is in Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $101,000 secured bond.
