Hearing set in sex assault case

A preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 10 for a 42-year-old Gardnerville man accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl refused to lower the $500,000 cash bail for Ronald John Smith.

Smith's attorney, John Schlegelmilch, asked EnEarl to lower the bail to $75,000 so his client could return to work at Bently Agrowdynamics where he said he earns $1,000 a week as a truck driver.

Smith is accused of assaulting the boy from April until Sept. 4 when the child's mother reportedly found the suspect hiding naked in the victim's bedroom closet.

He was charged with three counts of sexual assault against a child under 14.

"There is no physical evidence of the allegations," Schlegelmilch said. "I know the charges are severe."

Prosecutor Kristine Brown said a nurse who examined the alleged victim said because of a child's ability to heal and the nature of the assault, the boy's condition would be consistent with the allegations.

"The victim's family is so afraid of Mr. Smith, they left the community temporarily out of fear of retaliation," Brown said.

Schlegelmilch said although Smith owns property, he was not a flight risk.

"He doesn't have significant assets other than his house and he has a good job with Bently," Schlegelmilch said.

Brown also pointed out that Smith had 1994 and 2002 convictions for battery and domestic battery in which the victim suffered substantial bodily harm.

She said if Smith is convicted of the sexual assault charges, he faces life in prison and is ineligible for probation.