BETHANY BEACH POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN SEXUAL ASSAULT

Bethany Beach, DE - The Bethany Beach Police Department has arrested a 35-year-old man from Frankford, Delaware, in connection with a sexual assault involving a 19-year-old victim. The incident occurred within the town limits of Bethany Beach and was reported on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

The situation was initially reported to law enforcement by staff at the South Coastal Health Campus in Millville, DE, where the victim sought assistance.

Following an investigation, the suspect, identified as Mark B. Buckheit Jr., was charged with the following offenses:

• Rape in the 2nd Degree Without Consent (Class B Felony)
• Unlawful Sexual Contact in the 3rd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

Buckheit Jr. was arrested on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, and was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court #2. A no-contact order was issued to prevent him from contacting the victim.

He has since been transported to the Sussex Correctional Institution, where he is being held on a secured bond of $21,000.

The Bethany Beach Police Department continues to investigate this case, and no further details have been released as the investigation is ongoing.

Disclaimer: This article contains content regarding an individual formally charged with a crime or traffic violation. It is important to underline that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.