Man in Ridgeway standoff arraigned for that incident, plus 4 counts of rape
ALBION — A man involved in an 11-hour standoff in Knowlesville in December was arraigned in Orleans County today for multiple charges in that incident, as well as additional charges of rape for alleged crimes in November 2018.
Edward Loper
Edward Loper, 31, was taken into custody at 2:48 a.m. on Dec. 4 after a standoff with law enforcement at 3634 Knowlesville Rd. Deputies were dispatched to the site at 4:46 p.m. on Dec. 3 with reports of a disturbance.
The first arriving law enforcement officers found a large crowd outside the residence and learned a person had been assaulted and mini-14 rifle and a shotgun had been stolen. Loper went back inside the residence after threatening to kill the people in the front yard, deputies said then.
A perimeter was then established by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and State Police. The Orleans County Multi-Agency SWAT was then requested to the scene when the law enforcement on the scene were unable to make contact with Loper.
An Orleans County Sheriff’s investigator and negotiator from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were able to make contact with Loper. After an hours-long phone conversation with Loper, and several tactics used by the SWAT teams on scene, Loper agreed to come out of the residence. He came out of the front door and was taken into custody at 2:48 a.m. on Dec. 4.
This morning he was arraigned for third-degree assault, second-degree menacing, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
He faced an additional felony indictment this morning for four counts of second-degree rape and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Loper allegedly had sex four times with a 14-year-old girl in November 2018.
Loper, represented by attorney Michael O’Keefe, entered not guilty pleas this morning before Judge Sanford Church.
The judge set bail at $10,000 cash and $50,000 bond for Loper, who is in the Orleans County Jail. The judge said bail was necessary “given the nature of the charges” and Loper’s criminal history, which includes two parole violations and 12 misdemeanors.
The judge also approved an order of protection for the alleged victim with the rape charges.
Loper is to appear in County Court on March 19.
