From Blabbermouth:
Terri Sanginiti of Wilmington, Delaware’s The News Journal reports that a 31-year-old Elkton, Md., man by the name of Ernie Carletti — believed to be the same Ernie Carletti who joined ICED EARTH in July as the group’s second guitarist — is awaiting extradition to Delaware to face charges in a 3-year-old rape and kidnapping of a University of Delaware student.
Newark police said a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Ernie Carletti.
Carletti is being held in the Cecil County Detention Center as a fugitive pending his return to Delaware to face six counts of rape, and one count of kidnapping and possession of a deadly weapon during a felony.
According to police, a University of Delaware student was waiting to meet a friend about 4:50 a.m. May 22, 2003, in the first block of S. Chapel St. near the Continental Court Apartments when she was abducted at gunpoint by a man.
The assailant blindfolded the woman and bound her before taking her to another location, where he sexually assaulted her.
The victim was released across town, on West Main Street, hours later, Newark police spokesman Lt. Thomas LeMin said.
LeMin would not say what led detectives to identify Carletti as a suspect.
After detectives got the warrant, they alerted Cecil County (Md.) Sheriff’s Office deputies, who obtained search warrants for Carletti’s home.
Newark detectives and a deputy attorney general assisted Maryland authorities in the search, LeMin said.
The investigation is continuing as detectives pursue additional leads.
It’s one thing to sing about being viking warriors, guys, but it’s another to actually start the rape and pillage. Of course, the band at this point is stuck between the adage of “innocent until proven guilty” and “band member could be a rapist, I assure you we do not condone this.” Never mind that he was only hired a few months ago.
It’s always wonderful when the metal world gets another blow to its significance and reputation. As if we’re all waiting in the shadows, throwing up the horns just before we burn a church or shoot up a school. Thanks, buddy, for perpetuating a stereotype.
