Hartly – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Hartly man following an investigation into an alleged sexual abuse complaint, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said the investigation began on May 15, 2017 when a 17-year-old female victim contacted Troop 3 in Camden to report an alleged series of sexual assaults that had allegedly been occurring since November of 2016. The victim advised John A. Metheny Sr, 72, of Hartly, had been continuously groping her breasts and buttocks on numerous occasions while the two were alone at different locations, according to Fournier.
A few of the incidents allegedly occurred while the two were out of sight from other people at the Hartly Fire Company located at 2898 Arthursville Road, according to Fournier. Each time, the 17-year old victim would inform Metheny of her displeasure in him touching her and tell him to stop, according to Fournier.
On Wednesday June 7, 2017, John Metheny turned himself in to detectives at Troop 3 and was charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. He was arraigned at JP11 and released on $30,000.00 unsecured bond.
At the time of his arrest Metheny was serving as the treasurer for the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (DVFA) and the Hartly Volunteer Fire Company, and director of the National Volunteer Fire Council.
He’s a past president of the DVFA, Delaware State Fire Chief’s Association and the Del-Mar-Va Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and he has also been an instructor at the Delaware State Fire School since 1970.
Because of the sensitivity of this case, and in consideration of the victim, only limited information will be released, said Fournier.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at [email protected].
Image Credits: Delaware State Police
