Teen charged in rape to remain in custody

A juvenile judge Wednesday ruled more information needs to be gathered before a 15-year-old boy charged as an accessory in the rape of a male classmate can be released.

"I'm not only concerned about the perpetrator re-offending, but I'm also concerned about the victim and the victim's friends retaliating," said Juvenile Special Master David Nielsen in denying the boy's attorney's motion to have the boy released to his mother. The defendant's name is being withheld because of his age. He has been in custody since April 7.

Nielsen said before releasing the boy, an evaluation must be done to determine his propensity to use weapons, home schooling must be researched as an alternative to returning to high school and arrangements must be made for him to be under 24-hour adult supervision.

The boy is being held on charges of felony principle to sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and illegal possession of a firearm. He denied all four charges Wednesday morning. A trial is set for April 28.

On March 31, prosecutors determined a 16-year-old high school sophomore met the criteria to be charged as an adult.

Harold Willard was booked into the Carson City Jail on two counts of suspicion of felony sexual assault, and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment.

According to the police report, Willard allegedly sexually assaulted a freshman by threatening his life and brandishing a shotgun on two days.

During the first assault, on March 29, one day after Willard's 16th birthday, he and the victim were the only people present, according to court documents.

During the second assault, on March 30, the 15-year-old was allegedly given a gun by Willard and ordered to shoot the victim if "he tried anything funny." The victim was then allegedly sexually assaulted again by the suspect.

Willard will appear in court Friday to determine if there's enough evidence to go forward with the charges against him. Sexual assault carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.