• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

Suspected Serial Rapist Impersonated 'Family Ties' Child Star: Police

Police say Nathan Loebe, arrested for rape on February 9 in Kentucky, impersonated child actor Brian Bonsall.
Nelson County Jail
Byby DAVID CAPLAN
February 11, 2017, 10:23 AM

— -- A man who went to great lengths to impersonate former child star Brian Bonsall -- who played Andrew Keaton on the 1980s sitcom "Family Ties" -- has been charged in Kentucky with first-degree rape, police said Friday.

Nathan Loebe, 36, was arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 40-year-old woman last Sunday at an apartment in Bardstown, Kentucky, located about 40 miles southeast of Louisville, the Bardstown Police Department said in a statement.

The unidentified woman and Loebe had become "acquainted .... a couple of days prior to the incident," according to the statement, adding Loebe "has addresses from Louisville, Kentucky, to Tucson, Arizona."

Once he was in police custody, it became apparent that he was wanted by several other law enforcement agencies across the country.

"On February 10, Bardstown Police detectives learned that Louisville Police Detectives [in Kentucky] had been searching for Loebe the day before concerning incident(s) from their jurisdiction," read the statement.

And Loebe was particularly sought-after by police in Tucson, who advised police in Bardstown that they had been searching for him since January 2017, after he was singled out as a suspect in several criminal investigations. Loebe is currently wanted in Tucson for 40 open cases of stalking, harassment and threats made to females, and nine sexual assaults.

Loebe is also wanted in Colorado, Massachusetts and Ohio for sexual assaults.

Loebe's impersonation of Bonsall -- which included getting similar tattoos, such a butterfly neck tattoo -- appears key to the police investigations.

Former child star Brian Bonsall's booking photo, taken December 5, 2009, in Boulder, Colorado.
Boulder County Jail

"The investigation revealed that Loebe locates some of his victims using online personal dating sites," the Bardstown Police said. "Loebe has also been accused of impersonating child star actor Brian Bonsall ... Loebe has obtained tattoos that match tattoos displayed by actor Brian Bonsall."

Bonsall, 35, who also appeared in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the 1990s, also has a checkered past, having been arrested on charges of assault in 2007 and 2009 in Colorado. He is currently touring in Europe with his band.

Bonsall has taken to social media in the past to warn his fans that Loebe is impersonating him.

Loebe is currently in the Nelson County Jail and is being held on a $2.2 million dollar bond with an added hold from Tucson.

It is unclear if Loebe had an attorney.

ABC News' Benjamin Stein contributed to this report.

Up Next in News—

Gas station clerk speaks out after foiling alleged kidnapping

April 15, 2026

Oklahoma high school principal takes down would-be shooter, hailed as hero

April 15, 2026

Family seeks answers after influencer Ashlee Jenae is found dead on vacation in Tanzania

April 15, 2026

Couple shares warning after nearly losing down payment in mortgage fraud

April 10, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News