Jury convicts mask protester in stalking

A Gardnerville Ranchos man convicted of violating an extended stalking order issued after he harassed a Douglas County deputy and his wife at a Gardnerville grocery store faces an Oct. 10 sentencing.

Aaron John Rasavage, 44, was convicted on Aug. 31 of violating an extended protection order in a two-day jury trial.

After the verdict was read, Judge Tom Gregory ordered Rasavage into custody pending his sentencing.

Just a week before, Rasavage was on the verge of admitting the charge before he questioned use of the word “intentionally” in the plea agreement.

The felony carries a maximum sentence of 1-5 years and a $10,000 fine, according to Nevada Revised Statutes.

Rasavage was represented by attorney Matthew Ence.

Rasavage and roommate Justin Andrew Hall, 41, were arrested May 13, 2021, after they confronted the deputy and his wife, who worked at an elementary school Rasavage’s child attended.

Rasavage was upset that his child was required to wear a mask to school because she was too old for the exemption but too young for a vaccination.

He was prohibited from school grounds after allegedly yelling at children that they didn’t have to wear masks. He would call the school to complain about the masks on a regular basis.

The incident made regional news after he posted a threat to bring “his militia” to the May 18, 2021, school board meeting and that “he was willing to risk everything to be heard.”

The threat was deemed credible by the Sheriff’s Office and the school district and the meeting was canceled.

Charges against Rasavage in that incident were resolved, but prosecutors were able to prove to a jury that Rasavage should have been aware that the stalking order was still in effect six months later when he was seen attending a Gardnerville church where the couple frequented on Dec. 12.

Hall still faces a felony for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm in Douglas County as well as a federal indictment for the same crime.

A $50,000 cash nationwide bench warrant was issued to bring Hall back to Douglas. Once here, a new attorney would be appointed.

Hall was convicted of domestic battery on March 2, 2017, and is not allowed to have a firearm, according to a May 19, 2022, federal indictment.

He was wearing a CZ 9 mm semi-automatic pistol during the May 13, 2021, confrontation at the grocery store and still had it when deputies arrived at his and Rasavage’s home later that day to take the two men into custody.

The federal charge carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.