Man charged in rape had been DeKalb County candidate

Keary Edward Chandler

A Rainsville, Ala., man charged Tuesday in a 25-year-old rape case had been a candidate for public office.

Keary Chandler, 50, charged with the rape of an underage girl, was running for DeKalb County coroner. But last week he withdrew "for personal things" but refused to elaborate, according to the Times-Journal newspaper in Fort Payne, Ala.

Chandler is charged with second-degree rape, DeKalb Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in a news release. The incident occurred when Chandler was 25 and the unnamed victim was under 14, Harris said.

Though details have not been made public, it is believed the incident happened in Rainsville, the release stated.

The incident was brought to the attention of the sheriff's office earlier this year, Harris said. There is no statute of limitations on rape in Alabama.

Chandler owns the Rainsville Funeral Home. Employees at the business refused Tuesday to comment about the rape charge.

Chandler's lawyer, Robert Jordan, also declined to comment.

Harris said Chandler came to the sheriff's office at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday with his attorney to turn himself in.