The Milford Police Department’s Drug, Vice and Organized Crime Unit and the Delaware State Police Kent County Governor’s Task Force concluded a joint investigation into the sale of illicit drugs with the arrest of a Frederica couple.

During the investigation, detectives learned that Maurice Parker, 30 of Frederica, Delaware, had been involved in the sale of illicit drugs.  On February 4, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., detectives located Parker in a Jeep Grand Cherokee in the parking lot of Walmart, located on North DuPont Boulevard in Milford.  When detectives contacted Parker, he accelerated and struck a police vehicle. The Jeep ultimately came to a stop in the parking lot after striking a snowbank and a parked vehicle.  Parker attempted to flee on foot, but was ultimately taken into custody. 

A subsequent search of Parker’s vehicle revealed: approx. 42 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approx. 50 grams of suspected crack/cocaine, approx. 29.36 grams of suspected powder cocaine, an AR style pistol, .223 caliber ammunition, a silver BB gun, a large knife and drug paraphernalia.

Detectives then responded to Parker’s residence in the 4100 block of Barretts Chapel Road, Frederica. When detectives arrived, they contacted Ashley Zernell, 34, and conducted a search of the residence. During the search, detectives found a flash-bang grenade, a Black Smith and Wesson handgun, approx. 144.48 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approx. 313.86 grams of suspected marijuana, a large capacity magazine, and various quantities of ammunition. Zernell was taken into custody without incident.

Parker was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $200,100 cash bond.
Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Manufacture/Deliver/Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony) – 4 counts
Possession of Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony) – 4 counts
Possession, Purchase, Own or Control a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony) – 2 counts
Possession, Purchase, Own or Control Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon - Firearm (Felony)
Possession of a Destructive Weapon- Bomb (Felony)
Untraceable Firearm (Felony)
Illegal Gang Participation (Felony)
Controlled Substance Tier 1 Quantity (Felony)
Resisting Arrest (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Zernell was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on an $11,100 unsecured bond with pre-trial supervision.
Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Manufacture/Deliver/Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
Possession of Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
Possession, Purchase, Own or Control a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Possession of a Destructive Weapon- Bomb (Felony)
Giving a Firearm to Person Prohibited (Felony)
Possession of Controlled Substance, Tier 1 (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 

Released by Public Information Officer, Sgt. Timothy Maloney

Released: 02/10/2026