Tattooist admits attempted sex assault against 15-year-old girl

A 23-year-old Gardnerville man faces a minimum of two years in prison and lifetime supervision as a sex offender after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl while giving her a tattoo.

Sentencing is Sept. 7 for Levi Wood-Duran who pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault of a child under 16.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and is ineligible for parole. He must register as a sex offender.

The assault occurred May 29 while Wood-Duran was giving the girl a tattoo.

According to reports, Wood-Duran was not licensed to give tattoos and did not have permission from the victim's mother.

The girl's mother found out about the tattoo from a neighbor who alleged Wood-Duran had been tattooing other minors in a Gardnerville apartment complex.

Even though a psycho-sexual evaluation is not required because Wood-Duran is ineligible for probation, his lawyer Tod Young requested one.

"It appears the court has great discretion in sentencing," Young said. "I am asking for funds for an evaluation to determine if Mr. Wood-Duran seems to be as great a threat to deserve 20 years."

Young said his client disputed some of the victim's facts of the case, but made the plea agreement to avoid prosecution on more serious charges and the likelihood a jury would believe her.