Dexter man faces life for molestation charges

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man faces possible life sentences after pleading guilty Wednesday to sodomizing three girls in 2010.

Nathan Purdom, 66, pleaded guilty as charged to three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, according to a news release from Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver.

Purdom, he said, had been accused of having deviate sexual intercourse with three children, then ages 7, 8 and 9, between June 1, 2010, and July 16, 2010.

Purdom entered his plea before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen Sharp, who ordered a sentencing assessment report be completed and set sentencing for Feb. 15.

At that time, Oliver said, Purdom faces the possibility of three consecutive life sentences.

"The state made no offers in exchange for his guilty plea and did not amend or dismiss any charge," Oliver said.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Dexter Police Department, which began on July 16, 2010, when a mother reported her then-7-year-old daughter had been sexually molested by Purdom.

According to police Detective Cory Mills' probable-cause statement, the girl's parents had allowed Purdom to live with them at their Dexter home because he was homeless.

Mills said he also interviewed Purdom on July 16, 2010, at the police department, and, after being told of his rights, he "admitted he molested [the girl]."

Further investigation reportedly led authorities to two more suspected victims, then ages 8 and 9, whom Purdom allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting.

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO

Dexter, MO