WCDA Sentencing Result in Robbery Case

Prison Term for Defendant Convicted of Burglarizing two Occupied Reno Homes

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced that a Reno man has been sentenced to prison on charges of robbery and burglary for his involvement in two separate cases that occurred in late 2018. William Clifton Haley, 31, pled guilty last December and was sentenced last week to a term of 10 years in prison, combined for both cases.  Based on the sentenced imposed in Washoe County District Court by Judge Scott Freeman, Haley must serve a minimum of 3 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

The cases against Haley began in October, 2018 when the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a report of a residential burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the officers were able to gather information on the suspect from the homeowner and apprehend Haley as he was fleeing the area.  According to the victim, the burglary occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. when the homeowner returned after running errands with his 10 year old daughter.    Upon parking in the driveway the homeowner noticed the side garage door open and he went to close it while the 10 year old daughter entered the house and encountered Haley.  The girl screamed and her father responded into the home, which caused Haley to run out the front door.  A struggle ensued between the homeowner and the defendant over the stolen property and the young girl called 911.  The Defendant eventually fled the area on foot and was apprehended by RPD. It was later discovered that Haley had been inside the girl’s room and stole $29 out of her wallet.  The subsequent investigation determined that Haley was a suspect in a prior burglary in a nearby Reno neighborhood where he entered an open garage and, according to video surveillance, stayed there for approximately 7 minutes before stealing several items.  In that case, the homeowners were home and sleeping at the time of the burglary.  Haley was not immediately identified as the suspect in that case.  Haley was arrested and Deputy District Attorney George Smith filed formal criminal charges against him for both cases.

During Sentencing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kossow introduced evidence that supported the victim’s moving testimony that explained how the crime emotionally impacted his wife and two young children, who no longer feel safe in their own home.