Delaware Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Cyberstalking

Ralph Harmon, 26, of Seaford, Delaware, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for a violent attack on an elderly woman, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 20, 2026, 11:51 a.m. ETWritten Aug 20, 2026, 4:55 p.m. ET

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This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 20, 2026, 3:09 p.m. ET — checked 4h ago.

A Seaford, Delaware, man was on August 17, 2026, to 45 years in prison for kidnapping, carjacking, and cyberstalking, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. The sentence was announced on August 20, 2026. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews imposed the sentence. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Ralph Harmon, 26, approached an elderly woman outside her residence in Seaford on January 13, 2023, brandished what appeared to be a firearm, and forced her into her vehicle. He then drove toward Laurel, Delaware, forced the victim to provide ATM information, crossed into Maryland, and sexually assaulted her. He tied her hands with a shoelace and pushed her into the Wicomico River. When she surfaced, he struck her again with what he later stated was an intent to kill her. The victim climbed out and received help from bystanders. While pending trial in Maryland, Harmon used a recorded jail phone to attempt to have an associate kill the victim to prevent her from testifying. He also contacted the victim numerous times, including eight times around 1:00 am in one night. Harmon was convicted in Maryland before being transferred to the District of Delaware for federal proceedings in April 2024. “This was a senseless, random, vicious attack on an elderly victim of our Delaware community,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “The Court’s sentence delivers justice and closure for the victim by holding the defendant accountable for all aspects of this violent act.” FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said, “This 45-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Ralph Harmon’s crimes.” The FBI, Seaford Police, Salisbury Police, and Maryland State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Frey and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Welsh prosecuted the case.

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