BIO: Meroney spent 12 years at WMAR/TV2 in Baltimore
This bio appeared on the FOX13/WHBQ site
RON MERONEY
Ron Meroney rejoined the FOX 13 team in November of 1995 after spending more than three years as an anchor at WCPX-TX in Orlando, Florida and eleven years at WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Maryland. Ron is a veteran broadcaster, having worked in numerous markets, in a number of different capacities. In addition to news anchoring, he has served as talk show host, weather anchor, radio disc jockey and station manager at WCIE-FM in Lakeland, Florida. Ron's true claim to fame may come from being able to say he is the one who replaced Memphis legend Wink Martindale on WHBQ-TV's "Dance party" in the early 1960's. Ron is a licensed minister and is extremely involved in local charitable organizations including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, senior citizen homes, The Kidney Foundation, and United Cerebral Palsy.
Info. on Meroney's involvement with Assembly of God Christian church/es
This info. appeared on crimewriter Steve Huff's extensive crimeblog, here:
http://huffcrimeblog.com/?p=579
Charles Henderson Says:
May 22nd, 2006 at 10:45 pm
I knew Ron Meroney in Memphis. I have been in his and Carol’s home many times and they in mine. We attended a home fellowship meeting every Saturday night for several years and also attended Cathedral Of Praise Assembly of God in Memphis where Ron and Carol had a Sunday school class. I do not believe the man I know could have ever done what he is accused of. Ron and Carol are very dedicated to Jesus, not just to a religion. To Ron, serving God is a matter of the heart, not the head, or association with a church. He is a very meek, gentleman, with a sincere sense of devotion. He never spoke ill of anyone and was genuinely concern for every one. He is a hard worker, getting up at 2 A. M. everyday to go to the station and re-write all the news that he covers. As an anchor for Fox in Memphis, he has often been instrumental in getting programs of faith put on a very secular channel. Whatever has happened to Ron, has to stem from someone trying to malign him for jealousy or grudes from his political campaign in Maryland years ago.
Debbie Bennett Says:
May 23rd, 2006 at 10:33 am
I have similar experiences to Mr. Henderson’s. My parents were involved in Amway with Ron and Carol, as well as many church functions. Ron and Carol love the Lord and love to serve him. When my family was down due to my dad’s alcoholism, Ron and Carol offered help in the way of prayer, and just listening. Ron emceed my wedding. When my mom attended an Amway meeting with Ron and Carol in Pennsylvania, unbeknownst to my mom, he arranged for her to take a tour through her childhood home, as it was up for sale. She broke down in tears at the kindness of this man. Like Mr. Henderson said, he would never speak ill of anyone, but always would encourage those he knew. I agree that this is a malignment of some sort, or a grudge from a family member.
amanda Says:
June 3rd, 2006 at 5:45 pm
I believe every word of the women accusing MR. I was warned about him when I was just 7 years old. I was watched at every funtioned very closely if Ron attended. People say he is kind and giving and not a monster. Well that is true would a child trust a nasty old monster or a sweet let me give you a ride on the pony at the farm kind of guy?
Meroney articles from Commercial Appeal and East High news site
TV anchor charged in child statutory rape
From The Commercial Appeal, May 3, 2006
By Lawrence Buser
May 3, 2006
"Good Morning Memphis" anchor Ron Meroney was arrested this afternoon on a warrant from Maryland charging him with statutory rape of a child under 14, authorities said.
Meroney, 69, was arrested without incident at his home by agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shortly before 4 p.m., according to spokesman Jennifer Johnson.
He was taken to the Shelby County Jail and will appear in General Sessions Criminal Court as early as Thursday to face extradition.
Meroney was indicted in December by a grand jury in Wicomico County in southeastern Maryland where the county seat is Salisbury.
The indictment was sealed, according to the arrest warrant, and prosecutors there could not be reached late today.
According to a FOX 13 Web site, Meroney’s career has spanned five decades. He has been in Memphis since at least 1998. In the late 1950s, he replaced TV legend Wink Martindale on Channel 13’s "Top Ten Dance Party." He has since worked in a number of markets throughout the country in both radio and television.
Meroney lived in Maryland from 1972-85 and also has lived in Florida, according to an online public records data base.
Additional stories on this subject are below.
Charges against Fox anchor date from 1974
From The Commercial Appeal, May 5, 2006
By Lawrence Buser
May 5, 2006
Fox 13 anchor Ron Meroney was released Thursday on $50,000 bond after his arrest on statutory rape charges filed against him in Maryland.
The indictment stems from an alleged incident with a child under age 14 more than 30 years ago, according to authorities in Wicomico County, where Meroney faced similar charges in 1984.
Meroney, 69, made a brief appearance in General Sessions Criminal Court and will return to court May 16. In the meantime, he may surrender to Maryland authorities, seek a bond there and begin his defense.
"Ron denies the charges and is anxious to go up there (to Maryland) to retain a lawyer and fight the charges," said his local attorney Mark Mesler, who described his client's mood as "upbeat." "He's trying to make his arrangements."
Meroney, host of "Good Morning Memphis," is accused of having sex with a child under 14 between June and October of 1974. Maryland authorities would not comment on why the charges were filed only now.
Despite the long passage of time involved, the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center "thoroughly investigated the case," said Maryland State Police Cpl. Ryan Pradon of Salisbury, the seat of Wicomico County.
Statutory rape carries up to 20 years in prison.
WHBQ-TV Fox 13 General Manager John Koski said the station became aware of Meroney's indictment when he was arrested Wednesday. He said Ernie Freeman began substituting for Meroney Thursday, but otherwise declined to discuss his status.
It's not the first time Meroney has had legal troubles in Maryland, where he lived and worked from 1972 to 1985.
According to court records in Towson, which is near Baltimore, seven criminal charges were filed against Meroney in July 1984 that included child sexual abuse, assault and rape.
All were dismissed a month later with the exception of a charge of third-degree sexual offense in which he was given probation before judgment, a resolution in which a defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty but with the final judgment technically suspended. The case can be expunged after a specified period of good behavior.
Third-degree sexual offense involves someone at least age 21 who engages in a sexual act with someone age 14 or 15.
Meroney has been at Fox 13 since December 1995 after running a radio station near St. Petersburg, Fla., that played pop-style Christian music. In the late 1950s, he replaced well-known TV personality Wink Martindale on Channel 13's "Top Ten Dance Party."
Additional stories on this subject are below.
Letter alleges greater claims against Meroney
From www.wmctv.com
May 12, 2006 08:53 AM
The Memphis newsman charged with raping a child is facing even harsher allegations by his accuser. Now, he awaits a trial date in Maryland.
The mystery surrounding this charge is no clearer today than it was a week ago. But this letter, which led to Meroney's arraignment here, makes much stronger allegations than even the grand jury in Baltimore.
The letter, obtained by Action News Five, alerted Governor Bredesen to Meroney's presence in Memphis. Written by a woman who calls him her quote "uncle," Meroney's accuser says, this man has many victims, including my five brothers and sisters," and "please do what you can to expedite his extradition and to protect the children of Memphis."
"I am sure he is heavily involved in his Church as he was while he was molesting all of us. Please warn the people of his church," the letter continues.
At Meroney's church, the pastor expressed support for Meroney and his family. And - according to the general manager at FOX 13 - Meroney is still on staff, although the company will not discuss details of the charge against him.
An internet search pulled up this blog, purportedly written by a Fox13 employee who called Meroney "kind, generous, and professional" and "one of the elder statesmen in the newsroom."
The employee wrote, "this morning I looked over at his desk, where pictures of his smiling family are proudly displayed. I can't even imagine what they're going through."
Again, Meroney only faces one charge of statutory rape in Maryland. To our knowledge he has not been charged for the incidents mentioned in that letter. We tried to reach Meroney and his lawyer for comment, but were unable to do so.
Additional stories on this subject are below.
Meroney's lawyer questions prosecution
From www.wmctv.com
May 12, 2006 05:43 PM
Meroney Investigation: Darrell Phillips
Meroney's lawyers are talking to prosecutors in Maryland today, trying to figure out exactly how serious they are about going to trial before Meroney heads back to the state to surrender himself.
Memphis TV news anchor Ron Meroney's lawyers say that until an angry accuser sent her warning letter to Governor Phil Bredesen, it wasn't clear that Maryland prosecutors had any interest in extraditing or trying him on the three-decade old rape charge.
"One of the things that I think the lawyer up there was going to try to find out was... Does Maryland really want to prosecute this case?" said Mark Mesler by phone.
"I'll tell you that when we first heard there may be allegations like this, one of the things we were advised is Maryland was not going to extradite him."
So Meroney waited, knowing - Mesler says - that to return to Maryland meant he would have to surrender himself over to authorities instantly. Maryland prosecutors tell us Meroney still has not turned himself in and that they are working on a Governor's warrant in the event that extradition proceedings begin and Meroney resists. Meroney's lawyer tells us that won't happen. And the lawyer takes offense to the letter, written by Meroney's accuser, making allegations that "this man has many victims, including my five brothers and sisters."
"You would assume that the authorities would have contacted these other alleged victims because I am certain that she would have brought their names up to them when this investigation started and I am assuming that they wanted no part of coming forward if anything in fact happened," says Mesler.
Ron Meroney - he says - adamantly denies all of the charges. We've been emailing with the Maryland prosecutor who is bringing these charges. When asked about Mark Mesler's claim, that it wasn't clear that they were necessarily interested in moving forward with Meroney's extradition, Wicomico County D.A. Davis Ruark wrote that he won't engage in a public dialogue over this.
Salisbury, MD news story with reference to Meroney at WMAR/2 in Baltimore
Memphis Anchor Returns To MD To Face 1974 Rape Charge -
7/14 -
From the Salisbury Daily Times:
A Memphis television anchor indicted last year for statutory rape was officially charged in Maryland Thursday. Ronald Meroney (right), 69, of Arlington, Tennessee, turned himself into the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for one count of statutory rape dating back to 1974. He had been indicted by a Wicomico County grand jury in late 2005. Meroney - who lived in Maryland in the 1970s and 1980s and worked at Baltimore's Channel 2/WMAR - was serving as a anchor on "Good Morning Memphis," via a Fox affiliated television station, when he was arrested by Tennessee police for the Wicomico warrant in May. He then elected to fight extradition back to Maryland. Now in the custody of Maryland authorities, Meroney's next court appearance will be at a bail hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.....
1984 charges against Meroney
These are the seven charges (and their dispositions) in the 1984 case brought against Meroney in Baltimore County, MD. For all but one charge, the decision was made not to prosecute. Meroney pleaded guilty to a single charge (third degree sexual offense) and received probation. He was not required to register as a sex offender.
(Each Charge is listed separately. The disposition is listed below the Charge)
Charge No: 1CJIS Code:Statute Code:27-35A
Charge Description: CHILD ABUSE - CHILD UNDER 18
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Nolle ProsequiDisposition Date:08/28/1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge No: 2CJIS Code:Statute Code:LIT
Charge Description: ASSAULT COMMON LAW
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Nolle ProsequiDisposition Date:08/28/1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge No: 3CJIS Code:Statute Code:27-463
Charge Description: RAPE - 2ND DEGREE
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Nolle ProsequiDisposition Date:08/28/1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge No: 4CJIS Code:Statute Code:27-464A
Charge Description: SEXUAL OFFENSE - SECOND DEGREE
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Nolle ProsequiDisposition Date:08/28/1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge No: 5CJIS Code:Statute Code:27-464B
Charge Description: SEXUAL OFFENSE - THIRD DEGREE
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: GuiltyPlea Date:
Disposition: PBJ 641Disposition Date:08/28/1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge No: 6CJIS Code:Statute Code:27-464C
Charge Description: SEXUAL OFFENSE - FOURTH DEGREE
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Nolle ProsequiDisposition Date:08/28/1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge No: 7CJIS Code:Statute Code:27-12
Charge Description: ASSAULT - W/INTENT
Offense Date From: 07/05/1984To:
Arrest Tracking No: Citation:
Charge Amend No: 0Sentence Version:0Charge Class:
Disposition Plea: Plea Date:
Disposition: Nolle ProsequiDisposition Date:08/28/1984
Meroney Surrenders in Wicomico County, MD
Meroney Surrenders in Wicomico County
Ex-Maryland TV Personality Surrenders
Friday, July 14, 2006
WBAL Radio and The Associated Press
A Memphis television anchor accused of committing statutory rape in Wicomico County in 1974 surrendered to authorities in Maryland on Thursday.
Ron Meroney, 69, of Arlington, Tenn., was indicted in December on a charge of statutory rape of a child under 14. He was arrested in Memphis in May.
The Wicomico County state's attorney's office refused to provide details about the incident, and the indictment was sealed. A news release issued by the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center in May said an investigation uncovered a statutory rape accusation between the months of June and October of 1974.
When Meroney was arrested, he first refused extradition, but later agreed to go to Maryland to face charges. He appeared before a Wicomico County Circuit judge late Thursday afternoon and was ordered to be held at the county detention center in lieu of $50,000 bond, state's attorney Davis Ruark told The (Salisbury) Daily Times.
Meroney had been an anchor on "Good Morning Memphis" on Memphis' FOX affiliate and has been in the city since at least 1998, after working in several markets throughout the country in radio and TV. He replaced Wink Martindale as host of "Top Ten Dance Party" in the 1950s, according to WHBQ-TV's Web site.
A person who answered the phone at WHBQ Thursday night refused to say whether Meroney was still employed there.
Meroney lived in Maryland in the 1970s and '80s, according to an online public records data base.
In 1984, Meroney was charged with several counts of sexual offenses in Baltimore County. Those charges included child abuse and rape.
All but one of those charges were dismissed in July 1984. On one charge, third-degree sexual offense, Meroney was granted probation before judgment, indicating that a judge found that the facts were sufficient for a prosecution, but instead elected to grant probation before entering a sentence.
Another blog with extensive Meroney info.
Huff's Crime Blog contains a lengthy thread about Meroney, which can be found here:
http://huffcrimeblog.com/?p=579
It begins:
Trust the News…I surely am not alone in being unable to resist looking into stories like the one unfolding in the largest city in my home state of Tennessee right now.
In Memphis, a long-time broadcaster has been arrested and charged with child sexual assault.
The first article found via Google News on the morning of May 5th, 2006 was an AP story, published (with, perhaps, a bit of schadenfreude?) by Memphis NBC affiliate WMC-TV:
A longtime Memphis broadcaster was arrested and charged with raping a young child more than two decades ago in Maryland.
Ron Meroney, 69, was arrested at his Memphis home Wednesday and has refused extradition to Wicomico County in Maryland. He was indicted in December on a charge of statutory rape of a child under 14 (...)
Meroney is an anchor on “Good Morning Memphis” on Memphis’ FOX affiliate and has been in the city since at least 1998, after working in several markets throughout the country in radio and TV.
