Delaware AFSCME Thief Arrested In U.S. Virgin Islands

A former local AFSCME board member who fled to the U.S. Virgin Islands from Delaware after allegedly stealing more than $125,000 from his union has been apprehended by U.S. Marshalls, according a Facebook post from the New Castle County Police.

Here is the statement:

“The New Castle County Division of Police, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service, has arrested 31-year-old Matthew Adams of Wilmington on theft and fraud-related charges.

In July 2024, AFSCME Local 3911, the union representing New Castle County’s 911 Emergency Communications Center and Emergency Medical Services Paramedics, alerted Detectives that over $126,000 had been removed from their checking account. Detectives investigated and identified the suspect as Matthew Adams, a former employee, and Local Union 3911 board member. The investigation revealed that Adams had forged signatures and written fraudulent checks to himself, using the union’s bank account to cover personal expenses over a period of three years.

Through investigative efforts, Detectives discovered that Adams had fled to the U.S. Virgin Islands. On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Adams was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service on Smith Bay Road in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He is currently awaiting extradition to Delaware, where he will face charges for his crimes.

• One felony count of theft where the property value is $100,000 or more.
• One felony count of forgery 2nd degree.”