Hate Crime Case Involving Two Volunteer Millville Firefighters Concludes
MILLVILLE, Del. – A hate crime & harassment case involving two firefighters with the Millville Volunteer Fire Company (MVFC) has ended in the members’ sentencing.
As WMDT previously reported, 27-year-old Jay Droney and 23-year-old Jordan Hastings were charged back in Apr. 2025 with hate crime, second degree conspiracy, and harassment. Charges were filed a year after detectives were contacted by the fire company about a previously unreported hate crime that took place at their station.
Authorities learned that in Feb. 2024, Droney and Hastings chased another MVFC employee around the fire station with a rope tied in the shape of a noose. During the incident, Droney allegedly made a racist comment to the victim. It was further learned that Droney continued making racist comments to the victim on several occasions following the initial incidents. Warrants were obtained for their arrest in Apr. 2025, and both men ended up turning themselves into police.
In a message posted to social media on Monday, MVFC announced that the case had concluded, ending in the conviction and sentencing of both Droney and Hastings of unspecified charges.
“We would like to thank the investigators, prosecutors and those who contributed to bringing these cases to conclusion,” the statement said, in part. “Millville Volunteer Fire Company has been very transparent about the changes we made in response to this incident, including mandatory annual training, policy and procedure changes, published policies and community outreach. These changes have made us a better company.”
The incident prompted condemnation from many including the Delaware Senate Majority and Minority Caucuses, who issued a lengthy statement after the incident came to light.
““Hate has no place in our firehouses, our communities, or anywhere in our state,” the coalition said, in part. “The fire service exists to protect life and property without prejudice or bias. The behavior described in this case violates not only the law, but the trust and dignity that should define public service.”
