Decades later, Harnett man charged with molesting boys

Ronald Keith Black, 69, of 41 Newton Road in Lillington, was arrested over the weekend and charged with 25 counts of first-degree sex offense and 15 counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Harnett County Assistant District Attorney Donald Harrop Jr. said the alleged offenses occurred between 1988 and 2004. Four men told investigators that Black sexually abused them when they lived in his neighborhood as boys, Harrop said.

The 40 charges amount to one charge for each boy for each year of the alleged abuse, Harrop said.

Black was charged last year with 12 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Those charges are still pending.

Harrop said an FBI investigation into child pornography in Flint, Mich., led authorities to Black by tracing his computer ID. That prompted Harnett County authorities to take a closer look at Black, which led to the new charges.

Investigators are looking for other possible victims in the case, Harrop said.