Rollover crash leads to DUI, vehicular assault charges against Delaware lawmaker

Henlsey, 59, is a Republican who since 2014 has represented the Odessa-Port Penn area of southern New Castle County. He was re-elected Nov. 5, winning 53% of the vote in defeating Democrat Terrell Williams.

While a state lawmaker’s arrest is a newsworthy event, state police did not release any information to the public, so for nearly two months Hensley’s pending criminal case was not revealed to the public.

But recently, Hensley’s name appeared in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas docket for his arraignment Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty.

Asked why Hensley’s arrest went unreported, police said they have a policy not to issue news releases for misdemeanor offenses, no matter what position the suspect might hold in the community. The same lack of public disclosure occurred last month when state budget director Cerron Cade was arrested for several alleged shoplifting incidents at the Wilmington Home Depot store.

Hensley, reached by WHYY News Monday, would not comment and referred questions to his attorney, Joseph Hurley, who said he would make remarks later today.

Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a written statement that her office won’t give any deference to Henley’s position as an elected official.

“No matter who’s behind the wheel, drunk driving endangers everyone,’’ Jennings said. “These moments can easily become deadly, and we are extremely fortunate that the injuries in this collision did not become more serious.”

“We prosecute based on the law and the evidence of every case. Mr. Hensley faces multiple misdemeanor charges and will be treated as any other defendant, regardless of his title or position.”

Lawmakers will return to Dover to start a new session of the General Assembly next Tuesday.