wilkes

A Wilkesboro man has begun serving a minimum of 11 years in prison following his conviction of sexual crimes committed against a 14-year-old girl. Jeremiah Ezra Bare was sentenced this week after admitting to the allegations against him. As part of a plea agreement, all of the charges were consolidated into one count of soliciting to commit statutory rape. The Journal-Patriot reports Bare's wife, Sheila Tester Bare, is also facing charges, including first-degree sexual offense, taking indecent liberties with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Prosecutors said Mrs. Bare is the person who attracted the girl to spend time with the couple, and that the sexual abuse included plying the girl with alcohol and drugs to reduce her resistance to their advances.