CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A 41-year-old Frankfort man faces seven felony sex charges across two separate criminal cases, including two rape charges and allegations involving minors spanning more than a decade, according to Ross County court records.
Jeffrey J. Noble, of State Route 28 in Frankfort, was first arrested Jan. 21 and later indicted on compelling prostitution and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, according to court records. After posting $150,000 bond and being released, Noble was hit with a second indictment on March 27 for five additional charges spanning over a decade, according to court records.
Following a bond hearing on March 30, Noble’s bond was increased to $500,000, with conditions including no contact with the alleged victims, according to court records. He remains in custody at the Ross County Jail, according to court records.
First case: January arrest
Noble was arrested Jan. 21 on two felony charges, according to court records from case 26CR000038. He was charged with compelling prostitution, a third-degree felony, and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony.
Noble posted a $150,000 surety bond on Jan. 22 and was released. A Ross County grand jury formally indicted Noble on the same charges Feb. 13, according to court records.
On March 18, prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Noble’s bond, according to court records. A bond hearing was scheduled for March 30.
Second indictment: Five charges spanning 11 years
On March 27, a Ross County grand jury issued a second indictment against Noble on five additional felony charges.
According to the indictment filed by Ross County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey C. Marks, the charges allege:
Count One (Gross Sexual Imposition, third-degree felony): Noble allegedly had sexual contact with a person under age 13 during the period of May 27, 2001 through May 26, 2003, according to the indictment.
Counts Two and Three (Rape, first-degree felonies): Noble allegedly compelled another person to submit by force or threat of force during the period of Dec. 31, 2006 through Jan. 1, 2008, according to the indictment. Count Three alleges the victim’s ability to resist or consent was substantially impaired due to a mental or physical condition during the same time period, according to the indictment.
Counts Four and Five (Gross Sexual Imposition, fourth-degree felonies): Noble allegedly compelled another person to submit by force or threat of force during the period of Dec. 31, 2011 through Jan. 1, 2012, according to the indictment. Count Five alleges the victim’s ability to resist or consent was substantially impaired due to a mental or physical condition during the same time period, according to the indictment.
A warrant was issued on March 27 and served by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office on March 30, according to court records.
Woman came forward to police in January
In a separate incident, a woman came forward to Chillicothe Police on Jan. 12 to report alleged sexual assaults by Noble that occurred when she was a minor.
According to the police report, the woman reported two incidents at a residence on Old Eastern Avenue. The first incident allegedly occurred on New Year’s Eve when she was a freshman in high school, according to the report. The woman stated she was allowed to drink alcohol at the residence and became sick. She reported Noble allegedly sexually assaulted her.
The woman reported a second incident occurred when she was a senior in high school at the same address, according to the report. She stated Noble allegedly cornered her on the front porch and made a sexual advance, officers wrote.
The woman also reported there were incidents prior to these two that had occurred when she was younger and occurred outside Chillicothe city limits. She was advised that the Ross County Sheriff’s Office would be investigating those incidents.
The woman stated in the report that a younger family member had also allegedly been assaulted by Noble.
Bond increased to $500,000
At a March 30 bond hearing covering both cases, Noble’s bond was set at $500,000 cash, surety, or real estate, according to court records. The conditions include no contact with minor children other than his own children.
Court proceedings
Noble’s next court appearance for both cases is scheduled for April 20 at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Matthew S. Schmidt.
Noble is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.