Trigger alert. This article contains potentially triggering content for victims of sexual assault.
In a world flooded with news, it is hard to get a feel for what is really going around us. Most people are just trying to cope with a volatile social and political climate, steer clear of COVID, and be able to afford a gallon of gas and a gallon of milk – on the same day.
Unfortunately, with each daily rotation of this big blue planet, someone – or many someones, find themselves a victim of sexual assault. Often brutally, often repeatedly, and often by a family member or friend. Sadly, sexual assault victims are often children. However, this fact rarely makes headline news. It simply exists in the background, destroying lives. And if the fallout is somehow constrained to a single generation, then a miracle has occurred.
Many people think that sexual assault crimes are more prevalent in big cities, but that is a misconception. Many people believe that sexual assaults happen less frequently as harsher penalties are implemented. That also is a misconception. Sexual predators exist in virtually every city and town, and they do not seem to be discouraged by lengthy prison sentences.
Fallon is no exception. Our small rural Northern Nevada town seems to be seeing a surge in sexual assault reports, arrests, and convictions. Though the topic is objectionable, increasing community awareness can save lives.
One of the most high-profile cases in recent history was Wesley Lattin (66), who sexually assaulted his daughter for years. Lattin was scheduled for trial in 2005. However, Lattin absconded beforehand and hid in a dugout in the Nevada desert for 15 years. Harbored by his sister and despite being featured on America’s most wanted, Lattin managed to evade law enforcement until 2020, when the FBI notified Churchill County Sheriff’s Office of his potential whereabouts. Lattin was charged with one count of Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 16 and three counts of Gross Lewdness. The victim reported to authorities that she had been sexually assaulted over 10 times before she was 16. Lattin would pin her on the bed and cover her face with a sheet, even though she protested physically and verbally. Lattin ultimately pled guilty to the charges and received a sentence of 20 years to life.
In February, Christopher Michael Schneider was convicted of Sexual Assault for forcing a 16-year-old female into sex when she was incapable of resisting, as she was highly intoxicated at the time. When the event occurred, Schneider was 38. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years. It is important to note that in 2011, Schneider was convicted of Statutory Sexual Seduction, more commonly known as statutory rape. He served less than three years and was released in 2013.
Last November, Shawn Tosh Hartzell (50) pled no contest to the Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child and Lewdness with a Child Under Age 14. The District Attorney’s Office stated they could prove that in 2019, Hartzell sexually abused a child between the ages of six and seven years old at the time of the event. Hartzell is scheduled for sentencing on Mary 29 and faces 10 years to life in prison.
In September, Russel Eugene Barnard (38) pled guilty to administering Drugs to Aid in the Commission of a Felony. He allegedly gave marijuana to a minor with the intent to enable or assist the committing lewdness with a child or committing sexual assault. The victim was 14 years old at the time. Barnard also pled guilty to Lewdness with a Child Under 16 and Sexual Assault of a Child under 16. He faces 10 or 25 years to life in prison and is also awaiting sentencing.
In June of 2021, Joseph Richard Morton (43) was sentenced to 14-36 years in prison for the Sexual Assault of a Minor. Morton was arrested after allegations arose that he had a long-term sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl that suffers from various mental deficits, making her highly vulnerable to predators. Morton’s plea agreement reduced both the number of charges and eliminated more serious charges from being filed or pursued. The initial charges against Morton included: (1) Statutory Sexual Seduction (six counts). (2) Luring or Attempting to Lure a Child to Engage in Sexual Conduct (one count). (3) Lewdness with a Child under Age 14 (four counts), (4) and Child Abuse or Neglect (four counts).
Gordon Dwayne Fletcher II (37) was arrested last April on three sexual assault-related charges: (1) Luring or Attempting to Lure a Child or Mentally Ill Person to Engage in Sexual Conduct. (2) Lewdness with a Child Under the Age of 14, and (3) Use or Permit a Minor, Under Age 14, to Produce Pornography. Fletcher is facing a minimum of 10 years in prison to life and will appear for sentencing on March 29.
James David McClain presented one of the most unsettling cases in recent history. McClain was convicted in 2012 after pleading to two counts of Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 14 and has been serving two consecutive sentences of 35 years to life in prison. Filing a writ of habeas corpus, he secured a new trial when a federal court ruled that the case be retried. Last November, McClain’s case was heard by jury, wherein the jury found McClain guilty on 12 counts, which included: Four counts of Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 16 causing substantial bodily harm, six counts of Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 14, one count of Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 16 (without substantial bodily harm), and one count of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child. Appearing for sentencing on February 14, McClain received a total of 11 life sentences (varying by statute) and was credited for 3,586 days credit for time served.
The number of sexual assault crimes continues to rise; however, more victims than ever are speaking up – and out. The importance of teaching children what is appropriate touching and what is not is paramount. Equally as important is creating safe and loving environments for victims of all ages to come forward. This is not a battle that victims of sexual assault can fight on their own.
Be aware, be vigilant, track your children’s social media accounts, as thousand become victims of online luring every day in this country. Sexual predators need to know their secrets are not safe anymore.
Note: Nevada has a 20-year statute of limitations on sexual assault crimes. However, if the crime is reported within 20 years of the alleged event, the limit does not apply. As of 2019, there is no time limit for prosecutors to bring sexual assault cases when the identity of the person accused of committing the crime is established by DNA evidence.
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