Arraignment expected today in Fernley girl's sex assault

FERNLEY -- A transient is expected to be arraigned today on charges stemming from the abduction and sexual assault of a Fernley girl last week.

Brandt Whetstone, 49, faces up to three life sentences for sexual assault with a minor under 14 years old and two counts of first-degree kidnapping.

Lyon County District Attorney Leon Aberasturi said an attorney will be appointed for Whetstone at today's hearing and a preliminary trial date will be set.

According to the complaint, Whetstone, who remains in custody at the Lyon County Jail in Yerington in lieu of $600,000 bail, is accused of luring the 6-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother from their North Fernley front yard with promises of candy.

Once he had the children in his custody, Whetstone allegedly drove to a local market, bought candy for the children, blindfolded the boy and released him in a residential neighborhood and "then drove the girl to 'Out of Town Park' where he slapped her and forcibly committed sexual assault upon her," according to the complaint.

After Whetstone allegedly sexually assaulted the girl, he let her go, she told police.

She was found walking toward her home shortly after her brother told his parents a man drove off with her, Investigator Robin Hall of the Lyon County Sheriff's Department said.

Descriptions from the children of Whetstone and his truck helped police locate him Thursday at a home where he was doing siding work.