Teen sentenced to life in classmate's rape

A Carson City teenager was sentenced Monday to life in prison, with parole possible after 10 years, for the rape of a male classmate.

Harold Willard, 16, apologized in Carson City District Court, saying he's changed since the March incident in which he raped a younger classmate at gunpoint.

The 15-year-old victim, who attended the hearing with his father, opted not to speak during the sentencing, nor did Willard's parents who sat in the gallery during the proceedings.

In an agreement in which Willard pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault, defense attorney Tod Young was precluded from asking for the possible lesser sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison.

According to court documents, the Carson High School sophomore sexually assaulted the victim by threatening his life and brandishing a shotgun March 30. The victim told police Willard said the assault was part of an initiation into a racist gang. On March 31, another teen aided Willard in sexually assaulting the same victim.

Willard, who turned 16 on March 29, met the criteria to be charged as an adult because of the nature of the crime, his age and a prior felony conviction in juvenile court, prosecutors said.

The second teen charged in the crime pleaded guilty in juvenile court to gross-misdemeanor false imprisonment and unlawful possession of a firearm.

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