Claude Keever Receives Plea Deal for Multiple Sex Offenses Against Children

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Deborah Keller

**Opinion**

10-16-2022

Original articles concerning this case.

”WLOS: Feb. 1, 2021: On July 20, 2020, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office received a report alleging that Claude Linden Keever had committed the offense of taking Indecent Liberties with a Child, NCGS§ 14-202.1, a felony crime. Upon receipt of this report, the Rutherford County Criminal Investigation Division contacted the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and requested they join the investigation that same day. Though not all felony crimes initiate a partnership with the NC SBI, the Captain of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, Jamie Keever, is related to Claude Linden Keever.

Through the joint investigation of the initial report that was received on July 20, it was discovered that Claude Linden Keever had taken, or attempted to take, indecent liberties with at least three additional persons. These individuals were juveniles at the time that the acts occurred, however, they are now adults.

On October 12, 2020, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the NCSBI, secured warrants for the arrest of Claude Linden Keever. He was charged with four counts of taking Indecent Liberties with a Child and one count of attempting to take Indecent Liberties with a Child. Claude Linden Keever was arrested and a secured bond of $240,000.00 was set. He will have his first appearance in the Court of Rutherford County on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.”

“A Rutherfordton man has been arrested and charged with multiple sex offenses against minors from as far back as the 1980s.

Claude Linden Keever, 85, has been charged with multiple sex offenses against minors that occurred from the 1980s to the present in both Polk and Rutherford Counties in North Carolina.

In Polk County, Keever is charged with 2 counts of felony indecent liberties with a child and one count of first-degree statutory sex offense. His next court date in Polk County is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.”

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Release

January 14, 2021 ·

Arrest and Request For Information

“Claude Linden Keever, 85, of Rutherfordton, NC has been charged with multiple sex offenses against minors that occurred from the 1980’s to the present. Keever currently faces felony charges in both Polk and Rutherford Counties in North Carolina.

This matter is an ongoing investigation involving the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the NC State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI). Anyone with any information pertaining to Keever and the investigations is asked to come forward to speak with investigators. Due to the sensitive nature of these types of investigations no further information can be released at this time.”

On Thursday Oct 12, 2022 Claude Keever finally had his hearing for indecent liberties with a child. He had six (6) counts against him in this particular case. DA Ted Bell offered him a plea deal to plead guilty to three (3) charges with sentencing at the discretion of the court. Sentencing was 12-15 months for each charge to run concurrent to each other with credit for 84 days already served. As of now it looks like he will serve nine (9) months and then will be released without supervision per Judge Tommy Davis.

This case has been before DA Ted Bell since 2020. He has put it off, continued it and otherwise let this predator free to roam among children that he could victimize without any supervision. A “no contact with children” order was issued as a condition of his bond but predators such as this often find ways around those.

This man has been sexually abusing children we are told since 1980. No one but him really knows how long this has gone on. People told others, people in charge knew, yet he was shielded from prosecution.

Why is the question that most people ask? No one wants to believe that these predators live among us. They are often people who have “standing” in the community and are respected by most. There is always an explanation for anything that might come up and of course all the children involved are always making “stories” up for attention.

People actually feel sorry for the predator as he portrays himself as the victim to others. People often say “Oh he is such a good husband and father, such a good man in the community, he can’t possibly be connected with abuse.” You see well-respected people on social media congratulating him on things like a great hole in one at a local golf course. Unknowingly linking their approval of him to his victims.

As a victim you feel hopeless. No one listens, no one believes and worst of all no one does anything about it. I know, as I was a victim of such a man. Not Keever but someone like him. Someone I had no protection from. When I finally came forward his family and friends did not believe me. He was protected by his other friends/family in law enforcement much like it appears Keever was.

I realize as an adult it is horrendous to think someone you know could do such a thing. So horrendous that you turn away from it, but the victims cannot turn away. It is their world. It is a wound that will always ache deep within them. It is an almost unforgivable sin that forever alters their lives and the lives of those who love them.

This man Claude Keever has been committing these sins against children for over forty plus years and has been shielded and protected by very powerful people who I am sure had their own reasons for doing so. Some are family and some are friends but all were complacent in allowing these things to continue.

A very wise person once told me that on Judgment Day everyone had to answer for the sin of omission when they stood by and did nothing while someone abused a child. There are a lot of people who will be surprised on Judgment Day when the subject of Claude Keever comes up and they have to answer for all the many who were affected by the things they turned a blind eye to. DA Ted Bell in particular as he was directly responsible for allowing this man to continue to prey on children. I cannot fathom how he could allow such abuse to continue for so long on his watch.

The abusers like to say “well maybe it was just this one time, or maybe they drank too much and they were just not themselves”but this is far darker and deeper than that. This behavior is never cured. It is not brought on by alcohol or circumstance. It is a deep sickness that lurks in their heart and mind forever. There is no rehabilitation for these type of monsters. If not incarcerated they need to be watched every second of the day if around children. There have been many examples where child predators say they always have the desire to have sex with children they just fear the consequences too much so they try to abstain.

The victims of this man have been crying out for justice for over forty plus years but nothing was done until someone finally had enough guts and power to push the authorities to finally charge him. It is beyond tragic. He has his plea deal now and will serve how ever much time as the authorities see fit of his sentence. He is 87 years old but make no mistake he is still a threat to children as long as he breathes outside of incarceration.

Is this justice for his victims? No, but at least it is a start to their process of acceptance and healing.

We expect our DA to protect us from the criminals not shield them from justice like he did his friend former Judge Randy Poole. How many others he has turned a blind eye to or just continued their cases for more than six years? Why would he do these things……Why????

Claude Keever will eventually die and it would be nice to say the evil within him will die then too but unfortunately he has spread his evil and effected so many that it will continue to live for years and years. The effects of this are generational. Again, I know. It is not a fraternity you want to belong to, believe me.

I am writing strongly about this because I feel strongly about it. It goes on all too frequently in our society. Even the former Sheriff of Polk County Chris Abel was guilty of it (see link) and was protected for years by his friends and co-workers. He ALSO took a plea deal (for NO jail time) when it finally went to court, supported by his deputies in the courtroom. Heartbreaking…..

We as a society have to do better by our children. We have to be more aware and alert. We have to listen and investigate no matter who the accused is. Our law enforcement must do better, have better training and learn to recognize the signs, and there is no excuse for any D.A. to delay by the time these cases get to him/her.

Say a prayer (if so inclined) for the victims of Claude Keever and for the victims of all who have been preyed upon by this type of evil. Hopefully they can come to terms with their trauma and accept it as a part of their life they cannot change and move on from it.

There is no justice when it comes to these acts. You cannot restore innocence and faith in a child so damaged. A sin committed against someone that has no restitution is considered one of the gravest things one can do. Anyone who knowingly protects these people is just as guilty.

Claude Keever, only YOU know how many child victims you have truly traumatized. Judgment Day is coming for you soon. Actions have consequences and yours will be dire for sure.

Government Officials Engage in Illicit Actions Enriching Themselves at Costs to the Community

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Gayle Clayton, BS, MA

In comments made in response to the most recent article by RC Catalyst regarding actions facilitated by the Judicial Council, former Superior Court Judge Laura “Suzy” Bridges implicated a number of local officials in engaging in actions expressly prohibited by North Carolina State ethics laws.

David Rogers, NC House Representative for District 112.

THE CREATION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

As previously reported, the local Public Defender’s Office was created, in part, by North Carolina House Representative David Rogers. All actions taken to ensure the creation of this office were hidden from all those impacted by this situation. More significantly, however, is that all officials aware of exactly how this position was created deliberately deceived and provided false information to the attorneys and citizens of this judicial district. These actions amount to violations of applicable laws that, based on information now available, could lead to the removal of all officials involved.

NC STATE ETHICS

Specifically, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138A-31, government officials are prohibited from “knowingly us[ing] the covered person’s or legislative employee’s public position in an official actions or legislative action that will result in financial benefit to” such person. Section 138A of the North Carolina Statutes also create the State Ethics Commission to monitor, evaluate, and address any violations of this Chapter of the North Carolina General Statutes. In carrying out its statutory responsibilities, the State Ethics Commission may take any actions necessary to remedy any violations of the requirements set forth therein, including removal of government officials and/or determining that any officials may thereafter be disqualified from serving in a public position.

LOCAL BARS RESISTED THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

By way of background, the local bars in Rutherford and McDowell counties have resisted the creation of a Public Defender’s Office and were assured that they would receive notice and an opportunity to comment on any proposal suggesting that such an office should be created.

In mid-June, 2018, however, the local bars were notified that a Public Defender’s Office had already been authorized and was being created. The attorneys of each bar inquired as to how the Public Defender’s Office could have been created without any opportunity to provide input, express concerns, or discuss other facets of this entity’s creation.

NO LOCAL INPUT TO PD’S CREATION

The frustration and backlash was palpable, particularly given that all judges, the local legislative representative, and all members of the bar were statutorily required to be afforded such an opportunity. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-498.5 (stating that the Indigent Services Commission is required to “consult with the district bar . . . and the judges of the district or districts under consideration” for having a Public Defender Office created in the district(s)). Despite these requirements, all local officials claimed to have no knowledge as to how the Public Defender’s Office was created. With information provided to RC Catalyst, however, these representations provided by our local officials were false.

FORMER JUDGE LAURA “SUZY” BRIDGES IMPLICATES SELF AND OTHER OFFICIALS IN SERIOUS ETHICAL VIOLATIONS WARRANTING POSSIBLE REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR OTHER SANCTIONS

According to former Superior Court Judge Laura “Suzy” Bridges, current Superior Court Judge Tommy Davis expressly requested that the Public Defender’s Office be created. While former Judge “Suzy” Bridges has not identified what individual or entity to which Superior Court Judge Davis made such request, that information was disclosed by North Carolina Senator Ralph Hise.

SEN. RALPH HISE INTRODUCES BILL LANGUAGE FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER

According to Rep. Hise, Rep. Rogers sought Rep. Hise’s assistance in creating the Public Defender’s Office at issue. Rep. Rogers provided drafting assistance with the legislative provisions, after which Rep. Hise introduced the proposed language into the 2018 financial appropriations bill and, pursuant to his representations, solicited the necessary votes to ensure this provision’s adoption.

In doing so, Rep. Hise utilized a legislative tactic designed to conceal who inserted this provision into the appropriations legislation. More specifically, Rep. Hise introduced the provision through an ad hoc legislative committee where there are no records of the author of this provision.

INDIGENT SERVICES COMMISSION

Before any members of the local bar were notified that the Public Defender’s Office had been created, Rep. Rogers, as early as May 31, 2018, was corresponding with the Indigent Services Commission as to how to begin setting up the Public Defender’s Office. By June 29, 2018, Rep. Rogers was scheduling an in-person meeting with the then-Executive Director of Indigent Services Commission, Tom Maher.

Although RC Catalyst has reached out to Mr. Maher for comment as to this meeting and what he knew of how the Public Defender’s Office had been created at the time of this meeting, Mr. Maher has not yet responded to our request for comment.

BARS NOTIFIED OF PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

As previously noted, in mid-June, 2018, the Rutherford and McDowell County bars were, for the first time notified that the Public Defender’s Office had been created. At that time, all public officials claimed that they were unaware as to how this office had been created or who was responsible for its creation in a way that subverted all statutory mandates that the local bar be notified and given the opportunity to comment prior to its creation.

A local bar meeting was scheduled to vote on who would be selected as the Public Defender of this district on July 31, 2018. Mr. Maher was expected to attend that meeting.

On July 23, 2018, Aaron Walker, a representative for the local bar, corresponded with Susan Brooks on July 23, 2018 to clarify the issues that the local bar members wanted to discuss. Mr. Walker noted that the most salient issues were “why our district was selected” and whether Rutherford and McDowell Counties would be responsible for funding the office space required to house the Public Defender’s Office.

On the same day, Ms. Brooks also stated that the Indigent Services Commission was “as surprised by [the creation of the Public Defender’s Office] as you were.” Additionally, Ms. Brooks clarified that the counties were responsible for providing all necessary funding to house the Public Defender’s Office. She then noted that Mr. Maher – the individual most likely to have been aware of exactly how the Public Defender’s Office had been created – would no longer be able to attend the scheduled meeting with the Rutherford and McDowell county bars.

On July 31, 2018, the local bar meeting convened. Rep. Rodgers and Superior Court Judge Tommy Davis were in attendance. When one of the members of the local bar asked why the Public Defender’s Office was created, the Indigent Services Commission representative stated that she did not know. All other members in attendance with personal knowledge as to how the position was created also feigned surprise.

SELECTION OF PUBLIC DEFENDER

Shortly thereafter, former Judge Laura Powell was selected by Superior Court Judge Tommy Davis as the Public Defender for this judicial district.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID ROGERS AND FORMER JUDGE – NOW PUBLIC DEFENDER – LAURA POWELL ACTIVELY PROFITED FROM THIS COORDINATED EFFORT TO SECRETLY CREATE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE AND FORCED RUTHERFORD AND MCDOWELL COUNTIES TO BEAR THE COSTS OF SUPPORTING A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

After former Judge Laura Powell was appointed as the Public Defender for this district, her salary as a sitting judge was increased by an estimated $20,000 to approximately $135,000 as the acting Public Defender.

Public Defender Laura Powell then began hiring attorneys to staff the Public Defender’s Office. After hiring attorneys to fill all but two available positions, Public Defender Powell made comments to a local newspaper, on January 6, 2019, in which she explained that she had not yet filled the remaining positions because “until we are prepared to take on all the cases in both [Rutherford and McDowell] counties, I don’t want to hire attorneys and basically spend the state’s money for them not to have anything to do.”

HOUSE REP. ROGERS HIRED AS PART-TIME PUBLIC DEFENDER AT A FULL TIME SALARY

Months later, however, Public Defender Powell hired Rep. Rogers to fill one of the two remaining positions. Of note, Rep. Rogers was hired for a part time position. The majority of other part time attorneys are paid a salary of approximately $32,000 per year. Rep. Rogers, who was responsible for coordinating and concealing the process by which the Public Defender’s Office was created, however, began drawing a salary of $75,000 per year (while also continuing to draw his salary as a representative of the North Carolina house of Representatives) beginning on September 3, 2019. To date, the Public Defender’s Office has not made Rep. Rogers employment publicly available on any documents with the Public Defender’s Office or the Indigent Services Commission.

FINANCIAL ENRICHMENT

With the creation of the Public Defender’s Office, both Public Defender Laura Powell and Rep. Rogers were generously rewarded financially. Additionally, as noted in the prior article published by RC Catalyst, all members of the Judicial Council – to which Public Defender Laura Powell was added after assuming her newly created position – were now able to secure absolute control over the local legal system.

As noted above, any public officials’ actions (particularly those resulting in financial self-enrichment) are subject to the State Ethics Commissions’ jurisdiction. Any such actions risk the officials’ removal from office, as well as their disqualification from serving in any such position thereafter. Of equal concern to the community, the self-enriching actions of these officials forced Rutherford and McDowell Counties to bear a portion of the cost in supporting the Public Defender’s Office. Laura Powell’s salary increased by $20,000.

A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLES WILL BE CONTINUED

As RC Catalyst continues reporting on the issues affecting this district, we will keep the community informed of any actions taken by the State Ethics Commission or any other disciplinary entity tasked with preventing deliberate, collusive, or self-enriching conduct in which our elected officials engage.

Below are the members of the “Ad Hoc” Committee that debated and approved the creation of the District 41 Public Defender’s Office: