State prosecutors have secured three convictions against Camden Mayor Justin King over a physical confrontation.
Camden is a suburb of Dover.
King, 41, was until recently the mayor of Camden, Delaware and owns several businesses in the area. On Feb. 25, King confronted two male victims, both 19, whom he claimed had been causing mischief at his car wash. King shoved the victims and, at one point, pulled on a victim’s hoodies while he was on the ground. The individuals sustained minor injuries.
Camden Police Department were dispatched and issued the initial police report. Recognizing the potential for the appearance of impropriety, police referred the case to the DOJ and fully cooperated with the remainder of the investigation.
On Tuesday morning, King pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct and pleaded no contest to Offensive Touching, both of which are unclassified misdemeanors.
King also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Hindering Prosecution after it was discovered that he suppressed evidence with the intent to prevent, hinder or delay the lodging of a criminal charge through measures that included overwriting potential video surveillance.
“Nobody is above the law or beneath justice,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “The problem with the defendant’s behavior is not just the charges themselves, but his troubling and frankly embarrassing display of aggression, irresponsibility, and disregard for the law. His decision to physically confront two teenagers was senselessly aggressive, and he is extremely lucky that the victims’ injuries were not more severe. As if that were not bad enough, he then almost immediately stonewalled the subsequent investigation. Mr. King’s actions and lack of self-control are not the behavior of a grownup, and certainly not the mayor of a town.”
Under the plea, King agreed to serve one year of probation; pay a $500 fine; abide by a no contact order with the victims; and resign his office as mayor.
