Detective pleads guilty to molesting teen whose sex assault case he was investigating

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KTLA) -- A former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department detective pleaded guilty to child molestation involving a teenager whose sexual assault case he was investigating, authorities said Wednesday.

Neil David Kimball, 46, of Agoura, pleaded guilty to a lewd act with a child and unlawful sexual intercourse, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office said.

The former detective was initially charged with forcible rape against a minor 14 years or older while the victim was tied or bound, as well as witness intimidation by threat of force, the DA said.

While working as a detective with the Special Victims Bureau for sex crimes in 2017, he met with a 15-year-old when she reported being a victim of sexual assault.

Kimball was relieved of duty with pay after he was taken into custody in November 2018, authorities said.

Kimball's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8, 2019, at a Ventura court. He is expected to be sentenced to three years in prison under the terms of a plea agreement.