Thermopolis Man Accused Of Molesting Boy From Ages 4 To 14

Accused of raping a boy for a decade between the ages 4 and 14, a Thermopolis man faces a centuries-long prison sentence.  

Douglas L. Nelson, 43, is charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, each punishable by up to 50 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. He also faces a count of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor, for which he faces up to 10 years in prison and another $10,000 in fines.  

His case rose from Thermopolis Circuit Court to the felony-level Hot Springs District Court on Jan. 8.  

Don’t Tell 

The investigation started Nov. 28, 2023, when Thermopolis Police Department Officer Ryan Loving met with a mother and her son at the police department.  

That night just before 1 a.m., the boy had divulged to his mother that Nelson molested him for 10 years, says an evidentiary affidavit filed in the case. 

The boy went to Casper for a Children’s Advocacy Project child-forensic interview.  

The interviewer questioned the boy for about two hours and sent the video to Loving that same evening.   

The boy told the interviewer that Nelson made him sex acts for years, the affidavit alleges.  

The abuse stopped years ago because another boy came forward with allegations that Nelson was sexually abusing him, and this spooked Nelson, the boy reportedly told the interviewer.  

The document says the boy described in “thorough detail” details about Nelson. 

Nelson allegedly told the boy not to tell anyone about the molestation.  

Note: Cowboy State Daily has chosen not to include some of the accusations in this case to preserve the alleged victim's identity.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.