Bond denied for suspect in Lake Gaston kidnapping, fatal fire

Lester Kearney will remain in custody, along with his alleged accomplice, Kevin Munn, who faces similar charges and faced the judge last week.

Kearney has a criminal record dating to 2002, including convictions for kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and larceny, according to state Department of Public Safety records.

Munn's criminal record dates to 2004 and is filled with convictions for larceny and tampering with phone or communications equipment. He was placed on probation in October for misdemeanor breaking and entering and larceny, DPS records show.

One of the intruders drove her to a State Employees' Credit Union branch in Roanoke Rapids and forced her to withdraw money from an ATM, while the second intruder stayed in the home with her husband, John Alford, Warren County Sheriff Johnnie Williams said.

Nancy Alford was driven back to the house on Lake Gaston, where the intruders beat up her husband before setting the home ablaze with the couple tied up inside, Williams said.

John Alford, a minister at Sanford Memorial Baptist Church in Brodnax, Va., was able to escape and was airlifted to Duke University Hospital for treatment. His wife, a noted psychologist, didn't make it out of the burning house, however.

The couple’s car, which had been stolen, was located by investigators on March 13.

Warren County District Attorney Mike Waters has said he believes the attackers targeted the Alfords.

It's shaken people up here a lot," he said. "Things like this just don't happen up here."