July trial set in multiple child sex felonies

A Topaz Ranch Estates man faces a July 8-13, 2024, trial after he denied eight charges related to his July 12 arrest for sexual assault of a child.

Ryan Todd Nelson, 39, has remained in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Nelson entered innocent pleas on Dec. 20 to four counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, two counts of lewdness with a child under the age of 14 and two counts of child abuse of a sexual nature.

He faces up to four life sentences if he’s convicted of the charges.

Nelson waived the right to a speedy trial, but District Judge Tod Young said he had no intention of letting the case linger.

“This case needs to take precedence,” Young said.

There is a jury trial the following week and Young warned attorney Martin Hart and prosecutor Chelsea Mazza they might have to go to Saturday in order to complete Nelson’s trial.

Recognizing that people might be on summer vacation, Young asked the clerk to call 150 jurors instead of the usual 100.

Nelson doesn’t have any previous convictions.

According to court documents, the incidents took place between Dec. 5, 2017, and May 5, 2022.

• A man who promised to return to court with $167,264 in child support he owes finally made it back with some help from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Rory Dean Walker, 46, told District Judge Tod Young he would return in three weeks on May 2, after admitting to felony failure to support a minor child.

He didn’t and the judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

The felony carries a potential five-year prison sentence and Walker will still have to pay the money, plus whatever has accrued over the past six months.

He was brought back on Dec. 13 from California.

• The co-defendant of a Gardnerville soccer mom accused of multiple drug sales will join her at a Jan. 19, 2024, preliminary hearing after East Fork Justice of the Peace Paul Gilbert denied a week’s continuance.

Luke Andrew Reeves, 43, is facing charges of child abuse, Conspiracy to violate the Uniform controlled substance act, maintaining a place for unlawful use of a controlled substance and four counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Reeves and Janie Phillips, 35, were arrested at an apartment located at 1330 Stocdick Parkway Apartments. A 6- and 7-year old child were in the apartment when investigators seized methamphetamine and mushrooms, along with items related to drug sales, according to the Sheriff’s Office.