Man Charged With 6 Counts of Child Sexual Abuse in Casper

A Casper man could face well over a century in prison time if convicted of sexually abusing a girl after her 12th birthday.

Matthew Daniel Henderson pleaded not guilty Friday in Natrona County District Court to one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, three counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Should he be convicted on all counts, Henderson could face up to 140 years in prison.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, a Casper police detective began investigating on July 20 after the alleged victim reported the allegations to her mother, who in turn called the girl's counselor, and the counselor contacted the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

In a forensic interview at the Children's Advocacy Project, the alleged victim said that Henderson had "started doing things he shouldn't be doing." She claimed that Henderson started touching her inappropriately after she turned 12, and said he had told her, "Please don't tell mom."

The victim explained that Henderson had undressed and touched her several times before the abuse became more severe. At one point, the victim told the interviewer, Henderson went to the victim's room, removed his pants and underwear, and then asked her to touch his genitals.

The victim also described further abuse and recalled "like a throbbing pain" in an incident when she awoke one night to find Henderson molesting her.

Regarding her younger sister, the victim told the interviewer, "I could be saving her from him doing that to her when she is older."

Henderson, in a police interview, allegedly admitted to having touched the victim, "About 12 times over the last year since [the victim] had turned 12 in 2017." Henderson also admitted to more severe allegations of abuse, and wrote, "I have ruined my entire family."

Henderson was free on $40,000 cash bond at the time of Friday's arraignment.

District Judge Thomas Sullins granted a defense request to allow Henderson to travel to Sheridan County for evaluations.

Sullins said the case was placed on the trial stack for Dec. 3.

A booking photo for Henderson was not immediately available from the Casper Police Department on Friday.