Fayetteville man charged with sex offense involving minor
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office on Thursday charged a Fayetteville man with a sex offense involving a minor and with allowing three children to live in "deplorable conditions."
Posted — UpdatedEarnest Dean Alderidge, 45, of Fayetteville, was charged with second-degree forcible rape and second-degree forced sex offense, according to the sheriff's Facebook page. The sheriff said the alleged incidents happened on Jan. 29 and Jan. 31.
Alderidge was also charged with three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor "for the abhorrent living conditions at the home," the sheriff’s office said.
Alderidge's fiancé, Ruby Keener, who lives in the home, says the accusations against him are false.
"I deny them. I stand by him," Keener said.
Neighbors call Alderidge the "snake man." Keener said he owns boas and pythons.
But, she says, he gets along fine with the kids.
"He gets loud with them at times because they are teenagers," Keener said. "I have no clue what I'm doing, but I'm standing by him right now."
During a first court appearance on Friday, Alderidge asked to have his $503,000 secured bond lowered. A judge denied that request.
He remains in the Cumberland County Detention Center.
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