Delaware police officer charged for interfering in underage drinking check

Taylor Goebel
The Daily Times

A Blades Police Department officer faces multiple charges after he interfered in an investigation for underage drinking Saturday night, officials said.

Just before midnight on Feb. 16, officers from the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement were checking for possible underage drinking at the Owls Nest, a taproom in Felton, according to a press release by the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement. 

Since Delaware state law prohibits anyone under 21 from entering the taproom, officers arrested an underage person who was inside and found a second possible underage person drinking. They escorted that person outside for further investigation, according to the release. 

William Paskey, a Blades police officer, has been charged with resisting arrest, hindering an arrest, possession of a firearm while under the influence and interfering with an officer.

While an officer was verifying the identity and age of the second person, William J. Paskey, 26, of Harrington, forced his way between the two and pushed the officer away, officers said.

Paskey's interference allowed the suspected underage person to flee on foot in an unknown direction. Paskey smelled like alcohol and looked intoxicated, officers said.

When the officer tried to take him into custody, he again pushed the officer, was belligerent and flailed his arms to avoid arrest, according to the release.

Paskey was subdued and taken into custody. The young person who fled was never identified, per the release.

William Paskey was charged with possessing a firearm while intoxicated.

Officers said they found a loaded .380 caliber firearm on Paskey's person and discovered he is a full-time officer with the Blades Police Department as well as a part-time officer with the Ellendale Police Department.

Paskey was charged with hindering prosecution, possessing a firearm while under the influence, interfering with an officer and resisting arrest. He was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date, according to the release.

According to police, the owner of the Owl's Nest is Paskey's father. 

"The criminal charges that the officer is facing in this incident would have no bearing on any potential administrative violations that could be brought against the liquor license related to underage drinking," Major Kevin Jones said in an email

The Owl's Nest does not have an extensive alcohol violation history against its liquor license, having last faced a relatively minor offense in 2010, Jones said. 

Calls to the Blades and Ellendale police departments were not immediately returned. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

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