Former Middletown High School administrator charged with sexually soliciting a student

Esteban Parra, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read
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A former Appoquinimink School District administrator has been charged with sexually soliciting a former student, according to a New Castle County police statement issued Monday.

Darrell Sams Jr., a 39-year-old Camden-Wyoming man, was taken into custody on Friday.

A LinkedIn page bearing Darrell Sams' name and photo stated he had been a digital communications technology teacher at Middletown High School since 2018. It also says Sams had previously been with the Caesar Rodney School District.

Sams' last date of employment with the Appoquinimink district is not known, but a district official said they were aware of his arrest and are cooperating with investigators.

"In November 2022, Appoquinimink School District received reports of misconduct involving Mr. Sams," said Danielle Pro-Hudson, an Appoquinimink School District spokesperson. "The district immediately referred the matter to police for investigation, consistent with district policy."

Pro-Hudson said allegations of this nature are handled "with the utmost seriousness and concern."

"The wellbeing and safety of our students remains our top priority," she said. "If anyone in the community has more information they would like to share, they are encouraged to contact New Castle County Police."

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What is Darrell Sams charged with doing?

New Castle County police detectives began their investigation in February after a claim that Sams sent sexually inappropriate text messages to a 17-year-old former student in the Appoquinimink School District.

During the investigation, police said detectives learned the messages were sent in June 2022.

Armed with a search warrant, detectives went to Sams' residence on Friday where he was taken into custody without incident.

Following his arraignment, Sams was released after posting a $60,000 cash bail. He was also issued a no-contact order.

Detectives are asking anyone who may be a victim of similar actions by Sams to contact Detective Rodney Stearne at (302) 395-8068 or by email at rodney.stearne@newcastlede.gov or by calling the New Castle County police nonemergency number at (302) 573-2800.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ex-Middletown High teacher charged with sexually soliciting student