Alleged sex offender pleads not guilty

A 27-year-old Fallon man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in District Court on two counts of lewdness with a child under 14.

Donald Evans IV entered the plea, but remains in custody on $300,000 bond. His trial is scheduled to begin March 30, 2015.

Evans was arrested July 9 after Fallon police were alerted to alleged sexual abuse, which occurred on June 19, according to the police report.

According to the report, Evans is suspected of touching two children under 10 on their private areas. In addition, the report states the younger of the two children witnessed the other child being abused.

Evans, though, maintains his innocence and wrote a letter to the court stating as much including his dissatisfaction with his public defender, David Neidert.

The meandering letter requests a mistrial, although no official paperwork was filed with the court. Evans also stated in his lack of confidence with Neidert, writing he was unaware of a court date in August that was continued to Sept. 18.

Finally, he asks to be released on his own recognizance after stating the investigation officer slandered his name by disclosing more information than “needed to nonpartisans.”

In addition, Evans said his pleas for innocence were never put “on the record,” and he was initially “dissuaded” by the investigating officer.

Nevertheless, Neidert still remains Evans’ attorney. Each count carries a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

In other court news —

Ian Fitzpatrick, 19, was sentenced Tuesday in District Court to 364 days in the Churchill County Jail on one count of statutory sexual seduction, a gross misdemeanor.

Fitzpatrick was arrested after an incident on Dec. 31, 2013, when he had sex with a 15-year-old girl at a party. After being released on his own recognizance, Fitzpatrick was arrested again for having sex with another 15-year-old girl.

According to testimony from one of the victim’s mother, Fitzpatrick was told by the girl she was 15 and she asked if sex with her was illegal. The mother said his reply was “not if nobody knows about it.”

The father of the second victim said Fitzpatrick told her he was 17 and used a fake name.

Churchill County Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills said Fitzpatrick may be a predator after disclosing some of the psychosexual evaluation report. The report, according to Fitzpatrick’s attorney David Neidert, stated he was a low risk to reoffend as long as he does not consume alcohol.

In addition, Neidert said Fitzpatrick has changed his life and realized the severity of the situation in his argument for probation.

Nevertheless, Mills said the report states Fitzpatrick is “less than a high risk” to reoffend.

Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, apologized to the victims and their families.

“I would never do this again,” he added. “I can never say sorry enough.”