Fayetteville teen facing rape charges tied to Craigslist ad
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Investigators said a Fayetteville teen kidnapped, robbed, and raped a woman he met through Craigslist last spring. This week, the teen's family said they don't believe he's capable of the crimes.
Christopher Werley, 17, is facing felony robbery with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping charges tied to an April sexual assault. He was arrested and charged on Friday.
Werley's family members said he answered a prostitute's Craigslist ad.
Around 1:00 a.m. on April 23, investigators said the Pine Forest High School student lured the woman to the intersection of McCormick and Hinkle Streets in Spring Lake. When the woman got out of her car, they said Werley hit her with a handgun, took her cell phone and forced her into the woods where he sexually assaulted her. Investigators said the woman sustained contusions to her head and scratches to her legs and arms.
The woods are on Fort Bragg property, so federal investigators are expected to bring forth rape charges. Authorities said DNA linked the teen to the crime scene.
"How can you kidnap someone off of Craigslist that's an ad for soliciting?" asked Werley's aunt, Shenell Melvin. "He's 17, and she's an adult. So who's the aggressor in this area? And there are text messages."
Melvin described Werley as a helpful, well-mannered honor student. Family members said he may have answered the call for sex, but they don't believe he acted alone or that he was capable of seriously harming the woman.
"Something's not adding up, and they're putting all the blame on him, but something's not adding up," said Melvin. "Don't believe all the hype. That's all I have to say."
On Monday, a nervous-looking, soft-spoken Werley faced Judge Tal Baggett, who told him he can face a maximum of 36 years in prison for both felony robbery and kidnapping charges. When the judge asked Werley if he had any questions, the teen asked to go home.
"I'm in the custody of my parents," he said. "Can I have house arrest so I can attend school?"
"That motion has been denied," answered Baggett.
Werley remains in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $500,000 bail.
