Ash Grove teacher under suspicion of sex acts with student formally charged
An Ash Grove High School teacher accused with "sexual contact with a student" was told to stay out of that city and away from anyone under age 17.
William Nathan Herrington, 34, of Republic, was charged Monday with felony second-degree statutory sodomy, second-degree child molestation, and sexual contact with a student "on school property," according to charging documents.
Allegations surfaced in October that Herrington, a social studies teacher, had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old female student.
Superintendent Kyle Collins called police after he was contacted by the parent of that student. He said the parent found "a handwritten note and several email messages that were of a sexual nature."
According to charging documents, the messages were sent to the student's Twitter account and were allegedly sent from a Twitter account "displaying a photo of Ash Grove teacher Nate Herrington."
The student told authorities Herrington allegedly took advantage of her and he knew she was scared and wouldn't tell, documents said.
"Early during the month of October, Herrington began to touch the victim" in an inappropriate way as she left his classroom, the documents said.
He also allegedly sent her messages referring to "closet time" – asking for the student's assistance in the library storage closet. She described meeting him in the closet at least 10 times and that sexual contact occured there.
The documents state on Oct. 9, Herrington invited the female to his home on North Calhoun Street. The documents say she told police he pushed her and performed a sexual act.
Herrington, a former coach who was also sponsor for the freshman class and student council, allegedly sent messages to the female, asking if her parent monitored and acknowledging that he knew she was a minor and he could "go to jail" for these activities.
As soon as the allegations surfaced, Collins placed Herrington on paid administrative leave. He also recommended the board fire Herrington, who is no longer employed by the district.
The documents said within 24 hours of Herrington learning of the allegations, he was seen leaving his house as a passenger in his father's truck. His father lives in Texas.
Herrington, who is married and has ties to the region, was later "observed moving household items and furniture" from his house on Calhoun, which has been up for rent since Dec. 2.
The Ash Grove Police Department completed the final reports late last week and, following a joint investigation with the Greene County Prosecutor's Office, charges were filed.
Herrington turned himself in and bail was set at $10,000 with several conditions including GPS monitoring, staying out of the Ash Grove city limits, and no contact with the victim or children under age 17. He is also required to surrender his U.S. passport.