Pair sent to prison in sexual assault of 14-year-old

A former Indian Hills woman was sentenced Monday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

District Judge Michael Gibbon sentenced Julie Lynn Fry, 35, after she pleaded guilty to sexual assault, a class A felony. Her sentence is state-mandated.

Co-defendant, Donald John Reynolds, 43, was sentenced to eight years in prison, with parole eligibility in 24 months. He pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault, a class B felony.

According to reports, Fry was at a party in Carson City where she allegedly bragged about having sex with the minor in June. A guest at the party, alarmed by the story, notified Carson City law enforcement who turned the case over to Douglas County.

Deputies contacted the girl who confirmed the assault. By then, Fry and Reynolds had moved to Utah and were extradited to Douglas County.

Reynolds admitted supplying alcohol to the girl prior to the assault.

The victim was not present for Monday's sentencing.

The defendants claimed the sex was consensual, but admitted supplying the victim with alcohol.

"I just want to say how sorry I am," Fry said. "It was not my intention to hurt a little girl. I hope she forgives us."

Reynolds read a statement to the judge.

"I am ashamed and truly sorry," he said.

Fry and Reynolds must register as sex offenders and are subject to lifetime supervision by parole and probation officials.

Lawyer Kris Brown, representing Reynolds, said he was evaluated as "not a high risk" to re-offend.

"There is no evidence of grooming this young woman," Brown said. "He prided himself on welcoming young people to his home. There was never an intent to cause harm to this young girl. There was no attraction. She was merely there as Ms. Fry's young friend."

Brown said Reynolds was an alcoholic and abused prescription medication.

"Everybody was under the influence. The use of alcohol blurred the distinction between right and wrong," Brown said.

She said Reynolds realized he was the adult and took responsibility for his action.

The defendants said they accepted plea agreements to spare the victim from having to testify.

Lawyer Derrick Lopez, representing Fry, said she had no criminal history.

"Ms. Fry is very remorseful. She recognizes she was the adult and this in no way is the victim's fault or doing. Her 15 minutes of stupidity has in essence thrown away her (Fry's) life," Lopez said.

Prosecutor Erik Levin said the state believed the couple was grooming the victim.

"We believe there was prior discussion," Levin said. "The victim's mother asked Ms. Fry not to engage in those discussions because they were not appropriate."

Levin argued for up to 10 years in prison for Reynolds.

"We believe it's appropriate for general deterrence and to let the community know we're not going to allow open season on our young people," Levin said.

Gibbons said it was ironic that Reynolds and Fry, who both said they were victims of sexual abuse, would commit such an offense.

"You know how wrong this was," Gibbons said to Reynolds. "It turned into a felony when you decided to participate in the sex act."

Levin said the crimes were charged differently based on evidence, the level of culpability and the desire to resolve the case without the victim having to testify at trial.

The state agreed not to add an enhancement because of the victim's age in exchange for defendants' guilty pleas.

Because the girl is under age 16, the penalties are more severe.