Man denies sex assault charge

A 55-year-old Gardnerville man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts in connection with the sexual assault of a child.

Valter Verbanac pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual assault against a child under 16 and one count of abuse of a child under 18.

Verbanac was indicted by the Douglas County grand jury in January.

He is accused of assaulting the victim between April 2001-April 2005, beginning when she was 12.

Verbanac is in Douglas County Jail on $100,000 cash bail.

He was evaluated at Lake's Crossing Center for the mentally disordered offender and determined competent to assist lawyer Matthew Ence in his defense.

n A 22-year-old Minden man who violated probation three times in the last 16 months was ordered Tuesday to serve six months in Douglas County Jail before he is dishonorably discharged.

"When you get out of jail this time, get yourself a regular life," District Judge Dave Gamble told John Delvecchio.

"I'm all out of programs. I worked harder on getting you to stay straight than any other cases I had. You've got to be responsible."

Prosecutor Tom Gregory asked Gamble to send Delvecchio to prison rather than jail.

Delvecchio has been kicked out of drug court and mental health court in Carson City for noncompliance.

Delvecchio pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He was supposed to assist undercover officers with a drug buy, but he took $750 and bought cocaine which he used for himself.

On Tuesday, Delvecchio admitted using marijuana and failing to pay fees and restitution in violation of his probation.