Former Chief and Captain of Bethany Beach Police Department Receive Prison Sentences for Theft of Federal Funds

Two former high-ranking officers of the Bethany Beach Police Department, 58-year-old Michael Redmon of Selbyville and 50-year-old Darin Cathell of Frankford, have been sentenced to prison for the theft of federal funds. Redmon, the former Police Chief, was sentenced to 13 months in prison and ordered to pay $81,890 in restitution and a $50,000 fine. Cathell, the former Captain, received a sentence of two months in prison, followed by six months of home detention, and was ordered to pay $67,790 in restitution and a $25,000 fine. According to court documents, both men falsely claimed overtime pay for shifts they never worked. Some of the stolen money came from federal grants. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.

Additional Details from the United States Attorney’s Office District of Delaware

According to court documents, Redmon, the former Chief of the Department, and Cathell, the former Captain of the Department, spent years claiming to work overtime shifts that they did not, in fact, work.  Redmon falsely claimed at least 174 overtime shifts, totaling at least 760 hours and at least $81,890.  Cathell falsely claimed at least 185 overtime shifts, totaling at least 800 hours and at least $67,970.  Some of the funds Redmon and Cathell received were federal grant funds. 

UU.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray stated, “Michael Redmon and Darin Cathell were sworn to uphold the law.  They instead broke it – over and over, for years and years – to the detriment of the Town of Bethany Beach, their fellow officers in the Bethany Beach Police Department, and indeed every citizen who puts their faith in law enforcement.  These just sentences reflect the seriousness of the defendants’ crimes.” 

“Not only did they fail to lead by example, Michael Redmon and Darin Cathell betrayed the Bethany Beach community and their police colleagues. Their greed fueled a lengthy overtime fraud scheme, overtaking the oath they swore. As these sentences show, no one is above the law and the FBI is committed to rooting out corruption on behalf of the hard-working officers who carry out their duties honestly and honorably,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno.

U.S. Attorney Murray made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly.  The case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace and investigated by the FBI and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.