Man convicted of trying to run over Lyon County deputy sheriff

A Lyon County man who tried to run over a deputy sheriff has been found guilty on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Florencio Brito was found guilty by a jury after a one-day trial on Tuesday in the Third Judicial District Court in Yerington, Lyon County District Attorney Stephen B. Rye said in a media release. The jury found Brito not guilty on one count of assault with a deadly weapon.

This case arose on May 2 when officers responded to a domestic battery report in Silver Springs. Brito made threats to kill those at the property with a screwdriver and also threatened to harm police officers.

Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies responded and attempted to talk with Brito, but he ran to a car located on the property. Brito then attempted to run over a deputy sheriff with the vehicle and also crashed into the vehicle of another deputy sheriff.

“The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded promptly and attempted to de-escalate the situation,” Rye said in the release. “However, Brito had a different plan, which included harming police officers. The deputies acted swiftly and professionally to protect those at the property and to prevent further harm. Fortunately, due to the actions of the deputies, nobody was injured. Threats and harm to law enforcement officers and domestic violence will not be tolerated in our communities. The officers in this cases should be commended for their response and brave actions.”

Brito will be sentenced March 4. He faces one to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Austin Lucia prosecuted this case for the Lyon County District Attorney.