MULTIPLE ARRESTS MADE IN FIREARM & DRUG INVESTIGATION – TOWNSEND

(Townsend, DE 19734) Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Safe Streets/ATF Task Force have charged multiple individuals following a firearm/drug investigation. During the month of September, detectives followed up on information about a suspect selling methamphetamine and 3D-printed firearms throughout New Castle County. Following a multi-week investigation, detectives conducted two separate search warrants in Townsend; one residence on the 600 block of Cannery Lane and one residence located on the 600 block of Commerce Street. During the search warrants officers located the following:

39 firearms including 5 3D-printed guns.
7 suppressors “silencers”
(3) 3D printers and numerous 3D printed firearm accessories.
115.74 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
2,895.72 grams of marijuana.
Numerous items consistent with drug dealing packaging.

Detectives also took multiple suspects into custody including 29-year-old Benjamin Yealey of Townsend, 29-year-old Harley Vangorder of Middletown, and 30-year-old Julia Galindo of Middletown. All suspects were transported to New Castle County Police headquarters and charged with multiple felonies.

29-year-old Benjamin Yealey of Townsend was charged with three felony counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, two felony counts of manufacture/deliver/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in a tier 3 quantity, three felony counts of possession of a weapon by a person prohibited, one felony count of manufacture/deliver/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of possession of a destructive weapon (sawed-off shotgun), seven felony counts of possession of a destructive weapon (silencer), and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia not related to personal use. He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and held in lieu of $419,000.00 cash bail.

29-year-old Harley Vangorder of Middletown was charged with one felony count of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of possessing a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity, and one felony charge of conspiracy in the second degree. He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.

30-year-old Julia Galindo of Middletown was charged with one felony count of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of possessing a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity, and one felony charge of conspiracy in the second degree. She was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.