Man accused of raping girl

Nathaniel W. Pierce

A man already registered as a sex offender was arrested Saturday by Vernon County deputies on new charges of forcible rape and statutory sodomy.

Nathaniel W. Pierce, 35, of rural Sheldon was taken into custody on a 24-hour hold until formal charges could be filed. The charges were filed Sunday in Vernon County Circuit Court. Both charges are unclassified felonies, for which he could be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or serve a minimum of 30 years.

Pierce lives in Vernon County, but is registered in Iowa as a sex offender. He was arrested after leaving a home where he allegedly molested a 4-year-old child. Court documents allege that Pierce had oral and vaginal sexual contact with the victim.

The sheriff's department was alerted about the alleged assault by the girl's parents. The child was interviewed and given a medical examination and then taken to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for treatment of injuries related to the alleged rape.

Deputy John Randal stated in a probable cause affidavit that Pierce said during an initial interview, "what they told you is true." Later, however, he denied the allegations, in part, and shifted some of the responsibility to the child.

Randall said Pierce signed a waiver of rights and admitted that he had done so before being interviewed a second time. He told deputies that he was aware of his rights and what the waiver meant.

During the second interview, Randall alleged Pierce revealed some of the particulars of the incident but continued to deny others before finally admitting that he had done what was alleged. A warrant was obtained late Saturday and formal charges were filed against Pierce.

Pierce is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $500,000 cash only bond. He is set to be arraigned today.