Man admits lewdness charge

Sentencing is set for Sept. 4 for a 20-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man who admitted he tried to improperly touch a boy when the victim was 10.

Mark Todd Dixon pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted lewdness with a child under 14.

He faces 20 years in Nevada State Prison and may be subject to lifetime supervision because of the nature of the offense.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the District Attorney's office dropped three counts of lewdness with a child under 14 which could have resulted in life in prison.

Dixon may be required to register as a sex offender pending a psychosexual evaluation.

He is eligible for probation, but agreed not to request it as part of the plea.

Dixon's lawyer, James E. Wilson Jr. of Carson City, asked District Judge Dave Gamble to set aside an hour for the sentencing.

The offense is a category B felony which carries up to 20 years in prison with a minimum of eight years before he is eligible for parole.

Dixon is on house arrest, living with his parents, and is forbidden to have contact with the victim or any person under 18 unless another adult is present who has not been convicted of such an offense.

He has to stay away from playgrounds, parks, schools, movie theaters, or any business that is primarily patronized by children.

He also is forbidden access to the Internet unless approved by the probation department.

According to court documents, the alleged incident occurred in 2005, prior to Dixon's enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was extradited in April from Maryland where he was stationed.

-- The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported 42 contacts for domestic violence June 27-July 10.

There were 22 verbal domestics, five arrests for domestic battery including four adults and one juvenile, one referral to the district attorney for a warrant for domestic battery, one referral to the district attorney to issue a warrant for a temporary protection order violation, eight referrals to the district attorney for review or prosecution and five unsubstantiated calls.

Fifteen juveniles witnessed domestic violence, four juveniles were suspects in verbal domestics. One juvenile was arrested for domestic battery for a total of 20 juvenile contacts.

The Family Support Council submitted requests to East Fork Justice Court for four temporary restraining orders with two approvals, one denial and one pending hearing.

Eight requests were forwarded for anti-stalking and harassment orders with four approvals and four denials.

Connie Richardson, sheriff's department domestic violence prevention coordinator, said the average range for contacts is 12-16 per week for this time frame.

The average range for children witnessing domestic violence is 9-11 per week with juvenile suspects at 0-2 per week.