Man sentenced to 18 years to life for June 2015 sexual assault

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks Announces Sentencing of Washoe County Man to 18 years to Life for Sexual Assault

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that a Washoe County man was sentenced Wednesday in District Court to a term of life in prison with the possibility of parole for his role in a June 2015 sexual assault case involving a 22 year old female victim.  This sentence ensures that the defendant will serve a minimum of 18 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Brandon Guevara (Pontifes), 21 (DOB 7/12/94) from Washoe County was sentenced on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 by Chief Judge Patrick Flanagan on one count of Kidnapping in the 1^st Degree, one count of Battery with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault and one count of Sexual Assault.  Guevara was previously found guilty after a weeklong trial held in February of this year. Sentences for all counts were set to run consecutively.

The case against Guevara began on June 14, 2015 when the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a call of a sexual assault after the victim called 911. RPD detectives conducted an investigation and identified Guevara as the suspect.  Detectives determined that Guevara and the victim had been in a recent relationship, which had ended that night.  Guevara went to the victim’s home in the early morning hours of June 14^th and began knocking on her door.  When the victim answered, Guevara dragged her to his car and attempted to sexually assault her.  The victim attempted to escape and was injured when thrown to the ground. During the attack, a clump of the victims hair was ripped out, which would later be collected as evidence. Guevara then drove the victim to his apartment where he sexually assaulted her, at one point biting her in the back.  Reno Police were able to locate the victim at her home after Guevara released her by tracking a 911 hang up she was able to place during the attack.

At trial, DNA evidence was introduced that matched the clump of hair to the victim, along with semen found that matched the defendant.  The jury also heard the 911 hang up, as well as several recorded phone calls between the victim and defendant demonstrating his controlling behavior. 

“During National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and on the eve of National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, the Court’s sentence sends a stark and appropriate message that Sexual Assault cases in our community will be punished harshly” District Attorney Chris Hicks said.