WCDA Announces Recent Sentencing in Child Sexual Abuse Case

Defendant Convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child Sentenced to Life in Prison - Community Reminded of How to Report Suspected Child Abuse

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that a Sun Valley man has been sentenced to life in prison following convictions on child sexual assault charges. Patrick Ian Brymer, 27 (dob 7/7/93) was sentenced in District Court to life in prison with the possibility of parole after a minimum of 45 years has been served. Brymer previously pled guilty to one count of Sexual Assault on a Child Under the Age of 14 years old, one count of Lewdness with a Child Under the Age of 14 years old and one count of Use of a Minor in Pornographic Video. 

The case against Brymer began on January 6, 2020 when the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office received a report of child sexual assault, which had been disclosed at a school. An investigation was coordinated through the Washoe County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and included significant work by the Washoe County Human Services Agency, detectives with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and this office. Brymer was subsequently arrested based on statements from two young female victims, statements by the defendant and evidence collected from Brymer’s home pursuant to a search warrant.   

At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Nicole Hicks (DDA Hicks) recounted for the court the day of January 7, 2020 when two little girls came to the CAC and disclosed endless acts of sexual abuse by a family member.  DDA Hicks described the details of the children’s interviews as horrible and the images of sexual acts perpetrated on them located on Brymer’s cell phone as heart wrenching. She added that none of those recollections compare to the trauma suffered by these victims of sexual abuse committed by someone they loved and trusted. When sentencing Brymer, Washoe County District Court Judge Lynne Simons characterized Brymer’s acts as horrific and the case as a tragedy, while also noting the resiliency of the victims.

The District Attorney’s Office credits the Washoe County CAC and its Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) of WCDA prosecutors, local law enforcement, victim advocates, child protection workers, medical staff and mental health professionals with the continuing successful prosecution of the this and many other cases, and many others. The office would also like to remind the public that many at risk children are no longer in environments that support safe disclosures of abuse. If you suspect child abuse or exploitation is occurring, please contact local law enforcement. Confidential reports can also be made to the Human Services Agency Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline 1 (833) 900 - SAFE (7233).