17-04-2025
Maryland volunteer firefighter accused of chasing colleague with suspected noose in Delaware
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A Maryland volunteer firefighter was suspended from all department activities after he was accused of committing a hate crime in Delaware last year.
According to Delaware State Police (DSP), troopers were contacted by the Millville Volunteer Fire Company administration for an unreported hate crime that was said to have taken place at their station in February 2024.
Their investigation revealed that two former volunteer firefighters, Jay Droney, 27, of Millville, Del., and Jordan Hastings, 23, of Delmar, Del., allegedly chased a Millville Volunteer Fire Company employee around the fire station with a rope tied in the shape of a noose.
During the incident, Droney allegedly made a racist comment to the employee.
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According to DSP, he continued to make racist comments to the person on several occasions after the incident.
On April 15, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Droney and Hastings, who both turned themselves in that day. They were charged with hate crime, conspiracy in the second degree and harassment.
State police said that Droney and Hastings no longer work at the fire station in Delaware. However, Droney recently joined the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department on April 7 in Charles County, Maryland.
The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department said in a post on social media that at the time of Droney's application and onboarding process, officials completed a background check, which did not reflect any indication of pending charges.
The department also emphasized that it was unaware of the incident in Delaware.
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Fire officials said once they were notified of Droney's arrest, he was suspended from all department activities, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Travis Yates, president of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, released the following statement on social media Wednesday:
The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department takes all allegations of this nature with the utmost seriousness. We do not condone any form of hate, harassment, or behavior that is contrary to the values of public service. Our organization holds its members to the highest ethical and professional standards and remains committed to providing the best emergency services to the citizens of Charles County.
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