A Scioto County Grand Jury has handed down a stunning indictment against a Portsmouth man accused of committing a violent sexual assault while armed with a firearm.
Billy Kerns, 40, of Portsmouth, was indicted on a long list of serious felony charges, including:
- Rape (2 counts)
- Kidnapping (3 counts)
- Abduction (2 counts)
- Aggravated Robbery
- Robbery
- Theft
Allegations Paint a Violent Picture
According to the criminal complaint, the incident dates back to August of last year. Prosecutors allege Kerns forcibly compelled a woman to submit to sex through force or threat of force, and that he used a firearm during the assault.
The indictment further alleges Kerns kidnapped the victim, robbed her, and stole her medication during the course of the attack.
Court Appearance and Bond
Kerns appeared in Scioto County Common Pleas Court, where the judge found him indigent and appointed a public defender to represent him.
He entered a not guilty plea to all charges.
Bond was set at $350,000, and the court ordered Kerns to:
- Report to the probation department for monitoring
- Have no contact with the alleged victim
What Comes Next
The charges Kerns faces are among the most serious under Ohio law and carry the potential for decades in prison if he is convicted.
As with all criminal cases, Kerns is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The case will now move forward through the Common Pleas Court system.
This indictment marks the beginning—not the end—of what is expected to be a closely watched and deeply disturbing case in Scioto County.