SPOKANE, Wash. — Editor's Note: Normally, KREM 2 does not identify victims of sexual assault. But Thursday, Tatyanna Presnell agreed to be filmed and have her name published because she said it was a way for her to begin to move forward.
Former Spokane Police Department officer, Nathan Nash, 38, was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years to life in prison for rape charges involving two victims.
The charges stem from separate incidents in which Nash raped two women while on duty in 2019. In the first victim's case, Nash was charged with second and third-degree rape, and he is facing an official misconduct charge. A hearing on that charge is scheduled for December. In the most recent case, Nash was charged with rape and unlawful imprisonment.
In his sentencing, Nash stood before the judge maintaining his innocence.
"My wife and two children are my whole world and I would never do anything to jeopardize my ability to come home to them everyday," Nash said.
One of the women Nash took advantage of, Tatyanna Presnell, told the judge how she looks back on that day.
"I found solace in Mr. Nash helping me in such a dire time of need when I felt like I had no one," Presnell said. "And now to say that or even think that's how I felt toward you is absolute poison in my mouth."
"There is a part of me that I won't be able to get back because you stole it from me," Presnell continued. "But, starting today, right now, I am rising out of the ashes and becoming a survivor and taking back my life."
Nash does plan to appeal this case, and he has 30 days to do so. In the meantime, he is expected to be back in court for the official misconduct charge related to this case. The trial is expected to begin in December.
Background information:
Last year, a Spokane County judge ruled the two cases would be merged into one.
Some of the similar details between the two cases are outlined in a probable cause affidavit filed in Spokane County Superior Court. Investigators said in the documents Nash met both women while responding to calls where they were assault victims, and the alleged rape happened when he followed up with the victims alone to take photos for evidence.
The victims said Nash responded alone during the "follow-up" contacts and sexually assaulted them.
Nash was terminated by the Spokane Police Department (SPD) for charges related to the 2019 incident. He was charged with second-degree rape, third-degree rape and official misconduct after he allegedly violated a woman during a domestic violence investigation.
On Aug. 30, 2022, he was found guilty on one count of third-degree rape and one count of second-degree rape. He was also found not guilty of unlawful imprisonment.
Last month, in a newly-filed tort claim, a claim for damages, on of the victims stated the city's "hiring, training, and supervision of Patrolman Nash was inadequate and was a proximate cause of my injuries." The claim goes on to state there were substantial "red flags" in Nash's conduct that were "ignored or failed in the exercise of supervisory control."
One of the victims was seeking damages from the city of Spokane.
According to the claim, the city allowed Nash to use his power and police uniform "to prey on women he encountered during the performance of his duties."
The victim said the assault affected her "ability to work, to concentrate, to be with family and friends" and has caused her to fear police officers. She added that she suffers from "disturbed sleep, fearful social interactions, loss of appetite, intrusive thoughts, and a loss of my quality of life."
According to the claim, the victim is seeking $1 million in damages but said she would accept $750,000.
He is facing a official misconduct charge. A hearing for that charge is set for December.
This is a developing a story and will be updated when more information is available.