EVANS CITY, Pa. — The local EMT accused of sexually assaulting young boys appeared in front of a judge on Wednesday.
Three boys, ages 10 and 11, testified during a preliminary hearing that lasted two hours. One of the boys was visibly emotional and broke down in tears.
11 Investigates learned state police have heard from at least seven more potential victims who will be interviewed and their claims will be investigated.
“Nathan, how many kids have you abused?” asked Investigative Reporter Jatara McGee. “How long has this been going on?”
Nathan Mitchell, who goes by Nate, walked into the magisterial court building in Evans City wearing sunglasses.
“Do you have anything to say to their families? These kids trusted you,” McGee asked him.
Mitchell walked beside his attorney, with his wife, whom he is separated from, and another family member close behind. He didn’t respond to any of our questions.
Mitchell is facing over 15 charges, including sexual assault by a sports official. Mitchell is on leave from the Adams Area Fire District, no longer employed by Quality EMS and banned from Mars Youth Football, where he was an EMT.
In court Wednesday, Mitchell pleaded not guilty.
Two young boys said Mitchell would rub their bodies, give them melatonin before bed during sleepovers and cuddle them while they were sleeping. Many details of the allegations are graphic.
The 11-year-old said some things Mitchell did made him feel uncomfortable, but “I didn’t wanna say anything cause I didn’t wanna hurt his feelings.
He said Mitchell would text him things like “Love you, have a good day, you’re like family and you’re like my own to me.”
Tensions were high as attorneys hashed out bond conditions. The prosecutor, Laura Pitchford, brought up Mitchell’s past before he changed his name. Defense attorney Mike Zunder objected to that.
11 Investigates exclusively told you last week that court records show Mitchell, then known as Joshua Werkman, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor child molestation in California in 2008. He got the case dismissed in 2011 and petitioned for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon in 2020.
TMZ reported on the case, saying Werkman was the manager of two Disney child actors, Dylan and Cole Sprouse.
The defense didn’t want the prosecutor to bring up the prior charge or the name change and said it was not relevant to the case. He and the prosecutor yelled at each other as they debated bond conditions.
The prosecutor made a point that the California case and the name change were public information and mentioned our reporting, saying that the information is known to the public.
The judge ruled Mitchell cannot have any contact with minors. As other conditions of his bond, he has to wear an electronic monitor, stay away from schools and youth sporting events and stay away from a bus stop near his home.
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