Former Ridgely Police Officer Arrested for Rape

FELTON, Del. – The Delaware State Police (DSP) have arrested a former Delaware and Maryland police officer for rape following a sexual assault investigation.

Police arrested 33-year-old William Paskey of Harrington on one count of second degree rape. He has since been arraigned and released after posting a $20,000 secured bond.

Paskey is a former Delaware police officer who, between 2014 and 2021, was employed by various departments, including the Dagsboro, Ellendale, and Blades Police Departments. Most recently, Paskey was employed as a police officer for the Town of Ridgely Police Department in Maryland.

In May 2025, the DSP Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit began investigating a sexual assault allegation against Paskey. Detectives learned that in Sept. 2022, Paskey met a female victim on a dating app and invited her to his residence in Felton. The victim reported that during the date, Paskey became aggressive and engaged in nonconsensual sexual acts with her, refusing her multiple requests to stop.

DSP says Paskey was employed as a law enforcement officer at the time of the incident, but was not on duty.

After consulting with the Delaware Department of Justice, a warrant for Paskey’s arrest was obtained, and he was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 5, without incident.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information or who may be a victim to please contact Sergeant P. Taylor by calling (302) 698-8547.  Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police(Opens in a new window.) or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers(Opens in a new window.) at (800) 847-3333.