New Kent authorities serve felony indictments charging Hanover man with alleged sex crimes involving young boy

Authorities in New Kent County have served felony indictments on a Hanover County man charging the suspect with two counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor and one count of forcible sodomy.

The suspect, Darwin K. Noble, 72, of the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, is currently being held without bond in Pamunkey Regional Jail on those charges as well as similar counts incurred in Hanover.

Charges in both jurisdictions allegedly involve an 11-year-old boy, who is not a New Kent resident, said New Kent Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin. The New Kent charges stem from last June 6 and 7, and allegedly took place at a New Kent campground, McLaughlin said.

Noble was already in jail when he was served with the New Kent indictments, McLaughlin said. A New Kent Circuit Court grand jury indicted the suspect on Jan. 12.

The sheriff’s office, meanwhile, is asking for anyone with knowledge involving other possible victims to contact the New Kent Sheriff’s Office (966-9500) or the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where an incident may have occurred.

When asked if authorities believe the suspect could be connected to other incidents, McLaughlin said, “We don’t have anything to believe that, but both jurisdictions agreed that just in case there was someone, we’d want to hear from them.”