Brad Nash was charged with child molestation in the second degree and statutory sodomy in the 1st degree Dec. 29, 2023, based on a probable cause statement submitted by Detective Luc Burns of the Salem Police Department. As a result of the charge a warrant for the arrest of the defendant was issued.
Nash was arrested, held in the Dent County Jail for 67 days and released on bond, over the objection of Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley and assistant prosecutor James Weber, who opposed pre-trial release. On April 8, a preliminary hearing was scheduled in front of Crawford County Associate Judge Patrick Horsefield, who was assigned to hear the preliminary hearing following a recusal from Dent County Associate Judge Nathan Kelsaw.
Nash waived his preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to the Circuit Court for further proceedings in front of Circuit Judge Michael Randazzo. On August 28, Nash pled guilty to two counts of Child Molestation in the Second Degree, which is a Class B felony carrying a range of punishment of not less than 5 years and not to exceed 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Under oath and on the record, the defendant admitted in court that, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the defendant, or another person, he subjected victim 1 and victim 2, who were then less than 17 years of age and the adopted children of defendant, to sexual contact.
“Sexual Contact” is defined by statute to include any touchin.