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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Charges in alleged Craigslist luring plot

By: Thomas J. Sheeran

Posted: 01/21/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

handout / the associated press Richard Beasley: may face death penalty (CP)

AKRON, Ohio -- A U.S. man accused of a scheme to rob people who replied to a job ad on Craigslist has been charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and robbery in the killing of three men and could face the death penalty if convicted, according to an indictment announced Friday.

Richard Beasley, 52, has denied involvement in the plot, which lured single and older out-of-work men to a non-existent farm in rural Ohio. A fourth man was wounded in the series of attacks last fall.

Prosecutors would not speculate on a motive, but Attorney General Mike DeWine said investigators are looking at "serial killings."

"Are there more bodies? We frankly do not know," DeWine said.

Beasley has been jailed on unrelated prostitution and drug charges. He was arrested in November after authorities linked him to the alleged plot. A message was left with the attorney who has been representing him on the non-Craigslist charges.

An acquaintance of Beasley, 16-year-old Brogan Rafferty, could face similar charges after being transferred to adult court late last year.

Authorities say the scheme targeted men with backgrounds that made it unlikely their disappearances would be noted right away.

The first victim, Ralph Geiger, 55, was killed the day after he left a homeless shelter saying he was taking a farm job. His body wasn't found until Nov. 25.

The second victim, David Pauley, 51, came to Ohio after answering the Craigslist ad. A friend has said Pauley was desperate for work. Police say he was killed Oct. 23, and his body was found Nov. 15.

The third victim, Timothy Kern, 47, answered the ad and was last seen Nov. 13, authorities said. His body was also found Nov. 25.

A surviving victim, Scott Davis, 48, answered the ad and was shot Nov. 6 before escaping, police say.

Geiger's brother, Mark Geiger, said Friday he's not a death-penalty advocate but wouldn't oppose it, although life in prison for Beasley would also satisfy him.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 21, 2012 A27

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