BLADES, Del.– Delaware State Police in western Sussex County have arrested a man and a woman accused of sexual assaulting two children over the course of several months.
Police said an investigation began on July 26, when a 14-year-old girl reportedly told family members that she was continuously sexually assaulted took place over six months while she was in the company of a family friend, Tobias J. Cerillo, 35, of Blades.
According to authorities, at one point the 14-year-old and an 11-year-old girl were given alcohol by Cerillo and Carrie L. Leager, 30, of Seaford. Police said that once the victims were intoxicated, they were sexually assaulted and performed unlawful sexual acts with the two adults.
Investigators said the incidents took place between Dec. 1, 2011, and July 26, 2012, at Cerillo's home on East Sixth Street in Blades.
Cerillo was initially arrested on Aug. 3, but was arrested again on Aug. 9 for additional charges. Leager was arrested on Aug. 8.
Cerillo has been charged with two counts of first-degree rape; three counts of second-degree rape; two counts of third-degree rape; two counts of fourth-degree rape; continuous sexual abuse of a child; sexual solicitation of a child; unlawful sexual contact with person under 13; two counts of first-degree conspiracy; seven counts of second-degree unlawful sexual contact; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; first-degree indecent exposure; three counts of lewdness; and two counts of providing alcohol to underage person. Cerillo was ordered held in the Sussex Correctional Institution on $255,000 cash bail.
Leager has been charged with two counts of first-degree rape; second-degree rape; third-degree rape; fourth-degree rape; unlawful sexual contact with person under 13; two counts of first-degree conspiracy; second-degree unlawful sexual contact; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; first-degree indecent exposure; lewdness; and two counts of providing alcohol to underage person. Leager was ordered held in the Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution on $81,700 cash bail.
Both suspects have been ordered to have no contact with the victims or anyone under the age of 18, police said.
Anyone who has information about other incidents involving the suspects is urged to contact DSP Troop 4 at (302) 856-5850, ext. 218, or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information can also be provided online at www.tipsubmit.com or by sending text messages to 274637 with the keyword "DSP".
Tobias J. Cerillo
Carrie L. Leager
