Charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor were served yesterday on a former Laurens assistant coach for an alleged sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl Thursday morning. Laurens City Police were notified of the alleged encounter Thursday evening. Their investigation led to the arrest of 29-year-old Joseph Ned Kemp of 405 West Farley Avenue, Laurens later that night. Friday, he was served with warrants charging Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
Assistant Laurens Police Chief Chrissie Cofield said that their investigation only indicates this one victim, but that since Kemp had access to other students, they are asking that should there be another victim, they should contact Laurens City Police.
A statement from District 55 Friday morning said that Joseph Kemp was employed as an assistant wrestling coach at Laurens District High School and that he was not employed in any other capacity in the district. It said Kemp has been removed from his coaching responsibilities.
The District 55 statement added “The safety of our students is our number one priority. Any behavior that compromises the safety and well-being of our students and the trust of our community will not and cannot be tolerated.”