Man wanted for questioning in rape of Carson girl

RENO -- A Dayton man is being sought for questioning in the Aug. 7 rape of a Carson City teenager.

Michael Botelho, 42, who owns homes in both Dayton and Yerington, is being sought by Washoe County sheriff's detectives, according to Sgt. David Nikoley.

"We need to locate him," Nikoley said. "He is just wanted for questioning at this time."

According to reports, the girl, whom Nikoley described only as a "juvenile," had placed a babysitting ad in an area advertising publication.

"The suspect contacted the victim and asked if she would be able to watch his kids," he said. "A date was picked and the victim was picked up Aug. 7 by the suspect from her (Carson City) home, driven to a secluded area in Washoe County and sexually assaulted."

Nikoley said the assault took place over the course of "roughly an hour" at the southern end of Washoe Lake. Afterward, the suspect drove the victim back to her neighborhood.

The victim then went to Carson-Tahoe Hospital and called police, he said.

Information from their investigation led police to Botelho's home in Dayton, "but he has since disappeared."

The vehicle used in the assault was found at Botelho's home and was processed for evidence, Nikoley said. He would not reveal what, if anything, was found.

"We are seeking the public's help in trying to locate Botelho," Nikoley said.

He said Botelho, a construction worker, has no criminal record and has lived in the area for a number of years.

He's described as a white male adult, 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighing 215 pounds with shaved brown hair and hazel eyes. He may be driving an older model white pickup truck with Nevada plates.

Anyone with information on Botelho's whereabouts is asked to call Detective Greg Herrera at 328-3320, the on-call detective supervisor at 1-800-819-1239 or Washoe County Dispatch at 785-4630.