Probable Cause Found on New Sex Charge for Ex-School Worker

A Portsmouth Circuit Court judge found probable cause on Wednesday against a former Portsmouth Schools IT worker that he tried to have sex with a 14-year-old girl in early February.

As a result, a total of nine felony charges against Kenneth Kimber, 34, of Portsmouth will be bound over to a Rockingham County Grand Jury for possible indictment, according to Portsmouth Police Prosecutor Rena DiLando.

She said Judge Sawato Gardner ruled there was sufficient probable cause against Kimber on the most recent felony charge of attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault brought against him a week ago. DiLando said Portsmouth Police Det. Krystn Bernier testied that witnessed told police Kimber used social media to contact the 14-year-old girl and that he picked her up at her house to bring her to his house to have sex with her.

DiLando also said the judge maintained when he was arraigned on the newest charge and probable cause was found on the five other felony sexual solicitation charges.

Kimber was charged with three felony counts of certain uses of a computer prohibited, five felony counts of indecent exposure following his arrest on Feb. 13 for trying to have sex with a 16-year-old girl, according to Portsmouth Police. Portsmouth School officials fired Kimber the same day he was arrested by police. During his arraignment on March 5, DiLando told the court there would additional charges filed against Kimber.

When asked Wednesday afternoon if Portsmouth Police could still bring more charges against Kimber, DiLando said the investigation is ongoing.