Multiple Life Terms Secured

WCDA Announced Sentencing In Sexual Assault and Attempted Murder Case

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks announces that a Reno man has been sentenced to the maximum penalty allowed by law for the sexual assault and attempted murder of a 16 year old girl and the kidnapping and robbery of her father and 18 year old boyfriend that took place in June, 2015.   

Timothy Randell, 27 (AKA Timothy Randall), of Reno was sentenced on Thursday, December 22, 2016 to multiple sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole in Washoe County District Court by Judge Patrick Flanagan. Randell had previously pled guilty in October to the charges against him, which included Attempted Murder with a Deadly Weapon, Sexual Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, Sexual Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Kidnapping with a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm and Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.  Randell received the maximum sentence on all counts, which included deadly weapon enhancements for Randell’s use of an assault-style firearm to commit the crimes. The kidnapping charge and the two sexual assault charges resulted in Randell being sentenced to three consecutive life-without-parole sentences. In addition, Randell received consecutive sentences totaling 95 years for his use of a firearm during the crimes.   

Randell was arrested by the Reno Police Department (RPD) after officers responded to a June 18, 2015 report of a robbery and sexual assault.  On that date, the victims called 911 after having been held in their own home and victimized over the course of several hours by two unknown male assailants.  RPD Detectives responded and determined that the female victim and her boyfriend were attacked as they were entering their East Reno apartment after arriving home from a shopping trip.  An assailant, later identified as Randell, forced his way in after brandishing and firing a semi-automatic pistol into their home.  The female victim’s father was also in the home, and after Randell subdued the three victims, Randell summoned an accomplice, who was waiting outside. Over the course of the next three hours, the offenders searched the home for money and valuables, and took turns repeatedly raping the young female victim within earshot of her father and boyfriend, who were subdued and being held in a nearby room.  The female victim’s father and boyfriend were bound with duct tape and electrical cords.  In the course of the assaults, Randell held his gun to the young victim’s head and threatened to kill her father and boyfriend.  After the assaults, the offenders strangled the female victim and her boyfriend to unconsciousness, then spread oil throughout the home and attempted to set it on fire.  The offenders fled when the fire alarm went off.  The boyfriend regained consciousness and he and the female victim’s father were able to free themselves and put out the fire. Reno Police Department Robbery Homicide Detectives led an investigation and identified Randell through DNA evidence as one of the assailants.  He was arrested and this office subsequently filed formal criminal charges against him and the case proceeded to sentencing. The second suspect is still being sought and the case remains open pending additional evidence. A general description is provided below, as well as the exact time and location of the crime.   

At sentencing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Luke Prengaman argued that Randell not only deserved life in prison without parole as punishment for these brutal crimes, but also that life-without-parole sentences would send the strongest possible message to all those with evil on their minds like Randell: “You don’t want to contemplate terrorizing one of this community’s families; you don’t want to even think about raping one of this community’s daughters - you take your life in your hands if you do.”  All 3 victims appeared for sentencing, with the now 17 year old female victim offering impactful testimony.

Second Suspect Information: The second suspect was described as a lighter skinned male of unknown ethnicity, approximately 5”8, average or heavy build, small deadlocks near front and side of face, wearing a light colored hooded sweatshirt and a dark beanie style hat. 

Additional Information:  The initial report of the crime took place on Tuesday, June 18, 2015 at 3:55 am at apartments located on the 2000 block of Cannan Street in Reno, Nevada. The suspects may have followed the victims to their home from the Oddie WinCo just prior to the attack and both made statements associating them with Oakland, California.   

Anyone with information is asked to contact Local Law Enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office Investigations Division (775)321-4300 or Secret Witness (775) 322-4900.