Bail stands in sexual molestation case

Staff Reports

A 21-year-old house painter will remain in custody in lieu of $250,000 cash bail until an April 23 hearing on charges he sexually and physically abused an 11-year-old girl.

David Springer appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday with his attorney, Matthew Ence.

Ence sought a reduction in Springer's bail, but prosecutor Kris Brown objected.

Springer is facing a mandatory life sentence if convicted of the sexual abuse charge.

"He is a threat to the community," she said.

Ence argued that the evidence in the case is weak and that his client's accuser, the girl's mother, had filed false police reports before.

Justice of the Peace Jim EnEarl said the bail will stand until an April 23 hearing.

Springer is charged with sexual assault of a child under age 14 and child abuse or neglect.

The 11-year-old girl told investigators Springer allegedly kicked her in the back and punched her in the stomach in November, and sexually abused her a dozen times over several months.

At the time of the alleged incidents, Springer lived in Gardnerville.