NEWARK, DE — Delaware State Police arrested 69-year-old Ashwani Kumar of Newark, Delaware, on May 2, 2025, following allegations of sexual contact and solicitation involving a teenager at a local hotel.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 23, 2025, at the Quality Inn on Geoffrey Drive. Authorities stated that a 15-year-old victim was forced into a stairway, where the suspect allegedly made inappropriate sexual contact and solicited the minor. The situation ended when a witness confronted the suspect, allowing the teenager to escape. Troopers were initially unable to locate the suspect or the witness after canvassing the area.
Detectives from Troop 2 took over the investigation, acquiring surveillance footage that led to the identification of Kumar as the alleged perpetrator.
Kumar was arrested and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with the following offenses:
- Sexual Solicitation of a Child (Felony)
- Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree (Felony)
- Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree
- Offensive Touching
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post a $14,100 cash bond.
The Delaware State Police continue to investigate and encourage witnesses or anyone with information to contact Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit. Detective M. Conway can be reached at 302-365-8411.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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