A man accused of molesting a minor child is due back in court later this week.
Nathan Hershley, 42, was charged last November with two counts of statutory sodomy. He remains in custody at the Platte County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash-only bond, now charged with three counts of statutory sodomy, one count of statutory rape and one count of incest. He also faces two related felony charges in Andrew County, Mo. of statutory sodomy.
Nathan Hershley
Hershley is set to appear before Platte County Circuit Court judge Thomas Fincham Thursday, May 23 after he was bound over from the courtroom of Ann Hansbrough in April and appeared before James Van Amburg. Hershley’s attorney filed for a change of judge in early May, which was granted.
Hershley, who has lived in both Platte County and Savannah, Mo. has been charged with molesting a minor child from the time she was six until she was 15 years old.
Andrew County authorities first contacted Platte County in September regarding an investigation into Hershley’s activities, according to court documents. A family member of the victim came forward and told police she had been sexually abused by Hershley at least 20 times between the ages of six and 15 years. The family member found a letter from Hershley to the victim expressing his sexual desire for her.
During a later interview with police, the victim said Hershley started kissing her on the mouth when she was six, telling her “this will be our little secret.” The abuse escalated, involving inappropriate touching and oral sex. Hershley and the victim had lived in both Platte and Andrew counties during the years of abuse.
The victim said the abuse stopped because a family member caught Hershley lying behind her on the sofa and stroking her hair while she slept. When confronted, Hershley became offended and angry. While the abuse stopped, he became possessive and jealous of teenage boys.
A search of the victim’s phone turned up 591 pages of text messages between she and the suspect. Hershley would tell the girl he loved her and wanted to “rebuild their relationship.” In August, the victim stopped responding and text messages became verbally abusive. He sent her pictures of a loaded magazine, a handgun with a chambered round and then a picture of himself with the gun in his mouth, threatening to kill himself if she didn’t respond.