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A 59-year-old man will spend a year in the Churchill County Jail for having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
District Judge David Huff didn't buy the theory that the teen consented to a relationship with Michael Loren Ward, saying Nevada law requires a girl to be 16 years old before she can agree to consensual sex.
"The court notes the defendant is 59 years of age and the victim was 15 years of age," the judge said Tuesday at Ward's sentencing hearing. "There was more than one single offense. Frankly, Mr. Ward, if I could put you in prison, I would."
Ward admitted to conspiracy to commit statutory sexual seduction in a plea bargain with the district attorney's office.
Ward grew pale and stumbled as Huff announced the sentence. Earlier, the defendant hung his head while the victim's parents urged the judge to give Ward the maximum sentence possible.
District Judge David Huff didn't buy the theory that the teen consented to a relationship with Michael Loren Ward, saying Nevada law requires a girl to be 16 years old before she can agree to consensual sex.
"The court notes the defendant is 59 years of age and the victim was 15 years of age," the judge said Tuesday at Ward's sentencing hearing. "There was more than one single offense. Frankly, Mr. Ward, if I could put you in prison, I would."
Ward admitted to conspiracy to commit statutory sexual seduction in a plea bargain with the district attorney's office.
Ward grew pale and stumbled as Huff announced the sentence. Earlier, the defendant hung his head while the victim's parents urged the judge to give Ward the maximum sentence possible.
The teen's mother said Ward was a friend who was trusted by the family, but he abused that trust and took advantage of her daughter.
"He's an adulterer, a liar and a thief ... He's lower than dirt," the mother said.
She said her daughter is left with evil and painful memories.
The victim's father complained about how the case was handled, saying his family was not kept abreast of the status of the case or asked how they wanted it to proceed. He also had harsh words for Ward.
"He's predator, just like pulling up in a car and offering a child candy," the man said. "If it was up to me, I would make sure this predator is castrated. I am not sure my daughter will ever get past this. It will haunt her for the rest of her life."
"He's an adulterer, a liar and a thief ... He's lower than dirt," the mother said.
She said her daughter is left with evil and painful memories.
The victim's father complained about how the case was handled, saying his family was not kept abreast of the status of the case or asked how they wanted it to proceed. He also had harsh words for Ward.
"He's predator, just like pulling up in a car and offering a child candy," the man said. "If it was up to me, I would make sure this predator is castrated. I am not sure my daughter will ever get past this. It will haunt her for the rest of her life."
The names of the parents are not being used to protect the identity of the victim.
Defense attorney John B. Routsis said Ward is in counseling and was deemed a low risk to re-offend when he was evaluated by a psychologist.
"I hate to say it but it was a consensual act that went on for a long time. There was never any force or fear at all," Routsis said.
He asked the judge to place Ward on house arrest and probation so he wouldn't lose his job and his home. Routsis said a 60-day jail term could be part of probation.
"If you read the letters of recommendation, all of them indicate my client has high moral character. He made a mistake, certainly, but he's been arrested, humiliated and run out of town."
Defense attorney John B. Routsis said Ward is in counseling and was deemed a low risk to re-offend when he was evaluated by a psychologist.
"I hate to say it but it was a consensual act that went on for a long time. There was never any force or fear at all," Routsis said.
He asked the judge to place Ward on house arrest and probation so he wouldn't lose his job and his home. Routsis said a 60-day jail term could be part of probation.
"If you read the letters of recommendation, all of them indicate my client has high moral character. He made a mistake, certainly, but he's been arrested, humiliated and run out of town."
Deputy District Attorney Craig Mingay said the relationship between Ward and the girl went on for more than a year when Ward lived in Fernley. He owned horses, and the teen would visit to ride them.
The plea bargain was worked out because the district attorney's office could not identify the exact dates when acts occurred in Fallon after Ward moved here, Mingay said.
"When he lived in Fernley, she was still 15. It's hard to pinpoint the dates as they relate to her 16th birthday," he said.
District Attorney Arthur Mallory said he will be sending the case file to Lyon County for investigation of any alleged crimes that happened there.
Ward must register as a sex offender wherever he lives. He also must stay away from areas where children congregate, such as schools, parks and theaters.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
The plea bargain was worked out because the district attorney's office could not identify the exact dates when acts occurred in Fallon after Ward moved here, Mingay said.
"When he lived in Fernley, she was still 15. It's hard to pinpoint the dates as they relate to her 16th birthday," he said.
District Attorney Arthur Mallory said he will be sending the case file to Lyon County for investigation of any alleged crimes that happened there.
Ward must register as a sex offender wherever he lives. He also must stay away from areas where children congregate, such as schools, parks and theaters.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
