Sentences announced in two separate domestic violence cases

By Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Lyon County District Attorney Stephen B. Rye has announced a pair of convictions and sentences in two separate domestic violence cases, one of which occurred in Fernley.

Rye reported that on Monday, March 6, 2017, the Third Judicial District Court sentenced Adrian L. Porter, to 15-60 months on a conviction for Domestic Battery Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, and 12-32 months on Preventing or Dissuading a Witness from Reporting a Crime, concurrent.  The Court also imposed restitution for the victim.

This sentence follows the jury verdict returned in the case on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, where the jury found Porter guilty of both charges, both felonies. The jury acquitted Porter on a burglary charge.

In a separate case, on January 4, 2017, the Third Judicial District Court sentenced Wesley Huttman, 34, of Baxter, Minnesota, to the Nevada State Prison for a period of two (2) to ten (10) years for a conviction for Battery with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault that occurred in Fernley.

Porter, 35,  of Reno, , was charged for a violent battery committed on February 28, 2016, when he entered the victim’s house and hit her repeatedly resulting in serious injuries to the victim. Porter then took the victim’s cellular phone, preventing her from calling the police for assistance. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Dayton squad, handled the investigation and arrest in this case.

A jury convicted Huttman of the Battery with Intent to Commit Sexual Assault after a three-day jury trial in September. The District Attorney’s office charged that Huttman battered the victim in their home in Fernley.

Huttman’s child, concerned for the victim, called 911 requesting help for the victim. Nevada Highway Patrol and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call for help and found that the victim was beaten and had visible injuries. Huttman had left the scene before officers arrived.

The jury acquitted Huttmann on other charges, but returned a guilty verdict on the battery with intent to commit sexual assault, a category B felony. Huttman has filed an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

“Domestic violence is a serious problem in our communities,” Rye said. “These are difficult cases for several reasons, especially for victims, who must testify and relive these traumatizing events in front of the offender and a jury. The courage of these victims to confront the abusers is admirable and amazing.  Law enforcement also plays a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice by responding and investigating these cases early on and working closely with victims to gather the information needed to move these cases forward in the court system. We respect and appreciate the victims’ cooperation in these cases and the work of law enforcement in bringing these cases to a successful conclusion.”

Deputy District Attorneys Brian Haslem and Matthew Merrill prosecuted the case against Wesley Huttman. Chief Deputy DA Jeremy Reichenberg and Deputy DA Chad Pace prosecuted the case against Adrian Porter.