Willilam Bailey, Attempted Robbery, Delaware 2018

DOVER, DE – Willilam Bailey, 39, of Smyrna, Delaware, will spend the next decade in federal prison for his role in a terrifying late-night home invasion attempt back in May 2018. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly delivered the sentence on November 16, 2022, after Bailey was found guilty of attempting to rob a Dover mobile home.

The botched robbery unfolded around midnight on May 10, 2018, when Bailey, along with co-defendant Tyler Deberry and another unnamed accomplice, targeted a residence expecting to find drugs and cash. Armed with a sawed-off rifle, the trio attempted to force their way inside through the back door. Their entry was thwarted by a strategically placed washer and dryer, blocking the doorway.

Court records detail a violent struggle as one of the intruders managed to shove his head, shoulder, arm, and the rifle itself through the narrow opening. The occupants of the mobile home fought back fiercely, pushing against the door to prevent the intruders from gaining full access. Several shots were fired during the chaotic confrontation before a resident managed to wrestle the rifle away from the attackers, forcing them to flee empty-handed.

This wasn’t Bailey’s first brush with the law. Prosecutors pointed out at sentencing that this conviction marks his second conviction for home evasion, highlighting a pattern of criminal behavior. U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss minced no words, stating, “In the middle of the night, the defendant joined with others in an armed attempt to break into a home. Bailey and his confederates dangerous plan failed only because the door was blocked, and the occupants fought back. My office is committed to prosecuting violent crimes, even more so when those crimes are committed by recidivists.”

The investigation was a joint effort between the Dover Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edmond Falgowski and Graham Robinson spearheaded the prosecution. The case, designated 21-cr-79, is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by residents and the dedication of law enforcement to bringing violent offenders to justice.

Tyler Deberry, Bailey’s accomplice, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6, 2023, and faces his own reckoning for participating in the failed and dangerous home invasion. The incident underscores the escalating risks faced by federal agents dealing with armed criminals and the importance of continued vigilance in Delaware communities.

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