September 13, 2017 - A Center church pastor has been arrested on a charge of aggravated sexual assault and had bond set Wednesday, September 13, 2017.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department arrest log William Earl Nash Jr., 45, of Center was arrested by the Center Police Department on a charge of aggravated sexual assault, felony 1.
Up until the time of his bond hearing Wednesday, September 13, information pertaining to the arrest of Nash was unavailable as a grand jury indicted him on September 7, 2017 and the indictment was sealed.
Following a hearing held Wednesday, the indictment was no longer sealed. According to the indictment on or about March 24, 2017 Nash is alleged to have had sexual relations with a child who was then and there younger than 14 years of age and not the spouse of the defendant.
Per order of Hon. Judge LeAnn K. Rafferty, 123rd District Judge, signed September 8 following the indictment the bond was initially set at $150,000 with a requirement for a hearing.
During the hearing Wednesday in Judge Rafferty's courtroom, the court set new bond of $50,000 with conditions for Nash including requirements he not leave certain jurisdictions without prior written permission of the court except for work or to visit his attorney.
If the case goes to trial it is expected to take place in March or April of 2018.
