The Dover Police Department has arrested Norman Merritt, a 33-year-old Dover man, for Rape after learning of a sexual relationship he had with a minor between December 2021 and July 2022, according to Master Corporal Ryan Schmid.
Schmid said on August 15, 2022, Dover Police detectives were contacted by a member of the victim’s family after the child disclosed the incident to them. An interview was conducted with the victim at which time it was determined that Merritt had performed sexual acts with the child on at least two occasions at a Dover residence, according to Schmid.
Through an investigation, detectives were able to determine that Merritt had engaged in sexual acts with the child on several occasions between December 24, 2021, and July 13, 2022 added Schmid. Merritt turned himself into Dover Police on August 17, 2022.
He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $363,000 cash bail on the following charges:
-Rape Second Degree (2x)
-Rape Third Degree (4x)
-Unlawful Sexual Contact Second
The age and gender of the victim were not released by police.
