Seaford Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Kidnapping

Sussex County, DE - 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 handed down the sentence in federal court.

According to court documents, Ralph Harmon, 26, approached an elderly woman outside her home in Seaford, Delaware, on January 13, 2023. He brandished what appeared to be a firearm and forced her into her own vehicle.

The victim tried to escape through the passenger door, but Harmon pistol-whipped her to keep her inside the car. He then drove toward Laurel, Delaware, stopping along the way to force her to give up her ATM information.

Harmon crossed into Maryland and pulled over, where he sexually assaulted the victim. He forced her to lie face down in the front seat and tied her hands with a shoelace before driving on.

He took her to a residential neighborhood and forced her onto a dock behind a home. Harmon then pushed her, still bound, into the Wicomico River.

When she surfaced, Harmon pistol-whipped her a second time. Court documents state he intended to kill her. Harmon fled the scene, and the victim climbed out of the river with help from bystanders.

Harmon later met up with friends and used the victim's ATM card at local shops. The group traveled to a tattoo parlor in Salisbury, Maryland, where police identified the victim's vehicle.

Harmon ran from officers, and a black BB gun was recovered when he was arrested.

While awaiting trial in Maryland, Harmon used a recorded jail phone line to try to arrange for the victim to be killed before she could testify. He also called her repeatedly, including eight times in one night around 1 a.m. The victim left her home out of fear ahead of the trial.

Harmon was convicted in Maryland before being transferred to the District of Delaware for federal proceedings in April 2024.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace said, "This was a senseless, random, vicious attack on an elderly victim of our Delaware community. 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."

FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said, "This 45-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Ralph Harmon's crimes. 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."

Seaford Police Deputy Chief Tyler Justice said, "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. We are proud of the work done by our detectives and our local, state, and federal partners."

Maryland State Police Colonel Michael A. Jackson said, "We are proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure those who commit heinous acts of violence are held accountable. This case demonstrates the commitment we share in the pursuit of justice for the victim and her family."

The case was investigated by FBI Baltimore, Seaford Police, Salisbury Police, and Maryland State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Frey and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Welsh prosecuted the case.

Link to Maryland Sentencing Article: Click Here