Former Delaware lawmaker charged again after contacting victim he strangled: Police

Taylor Goebel | The Daily Times

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the location of the Indian River Inlet beach. It is north of Bethany Beach.

A former Delaware lawmaker turned himself into Lewes police after contacting the woman he allegedly assaulted earlier this month.

John Atkins, 48, of Millsboro was charged with harassment and breach of release after contacting the woman he assaulted a few weeks prior, according to a Lewes Police Department release.

A breach of release

On July 20, the same woman reported a harassment incident to the Lewes Police Department, police said.

Police found that Atkins was texting, calling and emailing the woman at her place of employment. Those actions violated his conditions of release from the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas, stemming from charges made by Delaware State Police on July 12, Lewes police said.

Atkins voluntarily turned himself in and was charged with harassment and breach of release. He was released on his own recognizance with a future court date set, police said.

Victim: Atkins squeezed her neck

According to a police affidavit of the previous arrest, the woman told investigators she and Atkins were at the beach July 12 at the Indian River Inlet near Bethany Beach when Atkins became angry over a text message she got from her ex-boyfriend.

She said they began arguing, and Atkins put his hands on her neck and squeezed until she couldn't breathe, and that she was hit under the eye while trying to get away. After the altercation, she took an Uber home, only to find Atkins waiting for her. She said they argued again and that Atkins hit her hat, causing it to hit her nose.

Atkins was arrested and charged on July 12 with strangulation, a felony; and third-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor.

According to Delaware State Police Detective Alan Bluto's affidavit, there was a noticeable red mark under the woman's eye from the July 12 incident, as well as red marks around her neck. Atkins denied putting his hands on the woman's neck but said he may have put his hands on her in self-defense, according to the affidavit.

A history of accusations

Atkins has been repeatedly accused of violence against women.

In 2016, he was charged with offensive touching and criminal mischief after a domestic dispute. Those charges were dropped for insufficient evidence.

In 2014, Atkins was ordered to stay away from his estranged wife and their children after she complained of erratic and abusive behavior.

In 2007, Atkins, then a Republican, resigned from the House after using his legislative position to avoid a drunken driving arrest and being charged in a domestic dispute with his wife that same night.

Randall Chase of the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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