Probable Cause Found for Attempted Rapist

Probable cause was found for a Portsmouth man charged with trying to confine and rape a woman in her State Street apartment in February.

Steven Morin, 45, no fixed address, Portsmouth, was arrested by police officers on Feb. 27 and charged with four counts of attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault, false imprisonment and simple assault, according to Portsmouth Police Capt. Corey MacDonald, commander of the State of New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 

According to court documents, Portsmouth District Court Judge Sawato Gardner found sufficient probable cause on Tuesday for all four felony attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault charges to forward Morin's case to a Rockingham County Grand Jury for possible indictment.

Portsmouth Police Officers responded to a State Street apartment to do a well being check on a female subject at the request of her friend who was concerned that she was in an unsafe situation. 

Police officers found the victim accompanied by Morin and their investigation determined the victim was being held against her will and that the police officers arrived before Morin could sexually assault the victim, according to MacDonald.