DOVER — A former Caesar Rodney High teacher and wrestling coach will serve at least six years in prison after pleading guilty to six felonies regarding a sexual relationship with a female student in 2014.
Richard L. “Dickie” Howell II, 52, plead to three counts each of first-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust and fourth-degree rape on this morning in Kent County Superior Court.
Richard Howell II
Howell answered “Yes” several times when asked by Judge Jeffrey Clark if he understood the ramifications of his plea and how it was reached. The six charges carry a maximum of 120 years of prison time.
Judge Clark immediately revoked bond, and Howell was placed in custody of the Delaware Department of Correction.
The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation, and a sentencing date is scheduled for April 26.
Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Dickerson, who declined comment afterward, indicated in court the state will not prosecute 44 other charges in the case.
Attorney Alex Funk, who represented Howell, also declined comment.
The plea session lasted less than 10 minutes. Howell was joined by four people, including family members and a friend, at the appearance.
Court papers listed the date of offense at March 1, 2014, and investigating Delaware State Police believed the relationship continued into late December of that year. Howell was arrested on Jan. 14. 2015, and indicted on April 6, 2015.
Howell will receive credit for any time already served at the DOC.
The minimum mandatory sentence was two years for each of the Class B felony sexual abuse counts to be served consecutively. The rape charges are Class C felonies and lesser included counts from original charges.
The court said Howell will be registered as a Tier III sex offender banned from contact with children younger than 18 years old. He also was ordered to pay costs associated with the case.
The matter was scheduled for a jury trial on March 8, which followed three postponements beginning on Sept. 9, 2015.