WILMINGTON, Del. (August 20, 2026) – A Seaford, Delaware, man was sentenced August 17, 2026, to 45 years in prison for kidnapping, carjacking, and cyberstalking. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews imposed the sentence. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Ralph Harmon, 26, approached an elderly woman outside her residence in Seaford, Delaware, on January 13, 2023, when he brandished what appeared to be a firearm, placed his arm on the victim, and forced her into her vehicle. Once inside, the victim tried to escape out the passenger door, but Harmon pistol-whipped her to make her comply and remain inside the car. Harmon then left the victim’s residence and drove towards Laurel, Delaware, where he stopped along the way and forced the victim to give over ATM information for Harmon to use. Harmon then crossed into Maryland, pulled over, and sexually assaulted the victim. Harmon forced the victim to lay face down in the front passenger seat, where Harmon tied the victim’s hands with a shoelace before continuing to drive. Harmon took the victim to a residential neighborhood where he forced her to a dock in the backyard. Harmon then shoved the victim, still bound, into the Wicomico River. When the victim surfaced, Harmon pistol-whipped the victim a second time with what Harmon later stated was an intent to kill the victim. After Harmon fled the area, the victim climbed out of the river and received assistance from bystanders. Harmon met with friends and continued to make cash withdraws and utilize the victim’s ATM cards at local shops. Harmon and his friends then went to a tattoo parlor in Salisbury, Maryland, where law enforcement identified the victim’s vehicle. Harmon fled from police, and a black BB gun was recovered during his arrest. While pending trial in the state of Maryland, Harmon utilized a recorded jail phone to attempt to have an associate kill the victim to prevent her from testifying at the state trial. Harmon also contacted the victim numerous times, including eight times around 1:00 am in one night. The victim left her residence out of fear ahead of testifying. Harmon was convicted in the state of Maryland, c-22-cr-23-000054, before being transferred to the District of Delaware for federal proceedings in April 2024. “This was a senseless, random, vicious attack on an elderly victim of our Delaware community,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “The Court’s sentence delivers justice and closure for the victim by holding the defendant accountable for all aspects of this violent criminal act; ensuring that he is not a threat to the community for the foreseeable future; and sending a message to any others who might terrorize our community that they will be held responsible by my office and our dedicated law-enforcement partners. This coordinated effort by the FBI, Seaford Police, Salisbury Police, Maryland State Police, and Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office ensured that justice was served.” “This 45-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Ralph Harmon’s crimes,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “He violently attacked an innocent woman who showed remarkable strength in surviving the assault. Even after his arrest, Harmon kept trying to harm her to avoid accountability. Thanks to the swift and coordinated work of law enforcement, Harmon will spend the next four decades answering for his violent crimes.” “The victim in this case was a long-term resident of the City of Seaford, who showed tremendous strength and courage throughout the ordeal and prosecution,” said Deputy Chief Tyler Justice, Seaford Police Department. “We are proud of the work done by our detectives and our local, state, and federal partners. The result is justice being served to someone who committed such a needless act of violence to a member of our community.” “We are proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure those who commit heinous acts of violence are held accountable," said Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “This case demonstrates the commitment we share in the pursuit of justice for the victim and her family.” FBI Baltimore, Seaford Police, Salisbury Police and Maryland State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Frey and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Welsh prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-00050.
Convicted Kidnapper Who Put Hit on Victim Sentenced to 45 years in Prison
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