Hanover man facing felony sex charges in New Kent found competent to stand trial

Darwin K. Noble

A Hanover County man facing three felony sex crimes in New Kent allegedly involving an underage boy has been found competent to stand trial in county circuit court.

Results of a psychiatric evaluation of the suspect, Darwin K. Noble, 73, of the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville, were revealed during Monday court proceedings.

Noble is charged with two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and one count of forcible sodomy. The charges stem from alleged incidents on June 6 and 7, 2014 involving an 11-year-old boy, who local authorities say is not a New Kent resident. The charges, however, allegedly occurred at a campground in New Kent.

A circuit court grand jury indicted Noble, who is being held in jail without bond, on the three counts on Jan. 12. Trial for Noble in New Kent is scheduled for July 27.

The suspect, meanwhile, faces two counts each of forcible sodomy and aggravated sexual battery in Hanover County, allegedly involving the same youth. Trial on the Hanover charges is set for June 15.

Editor’s Note: Alan Chamberlain contributed to this story.