DA's Office Announces Outcome in Lewdness Case

Sparks Man Sentenced to Consecutive Life Terms

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has released the results of a recent child lewdness case that involved victimization of a 13 year old girl over the course of a several years. The prosecution stemmed from an investigation that began early this year by a multi-disciplinary team coordinated through the Washoe County Child Advocacy Center (CAC).  The sentence ensures the defendant will serve a minimum of 30 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

John H. Hartley Jr., 37 from Sparks was sentenced last Thursday to three life sentences.  Hartley had previously pled guilty in April to three counts of Lewdness with a Child Under Age 14 in District Court.      

The case against Hartley began in January when the Sparks Police Department (SPD) received information from a Utah Sheriff’s Office about a possible lewdness case involving a 13 year old Sparks girl.  SPD Detectives determined that the girl had been molested since the age of 10 by a male relative identified as Hartley.  When interviewed, Hartley admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with the victim. Hartley was arrested and this office filed formal criminal charges against him.     

At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Nicole Hicks argued that all three life sentences should run consecutively.   Victim impact statements presented to the court described the devastating effect this abuse had on the victim and her family members.