Gordon Dwayne Fletcher II appeared for sentencing in the Tenth Judicial District Court before Judge Thomas Stockard on Tuesday, April 5. Fletcher, who has been in custody in the Churchill County, Jail for 374 days, pled guilty last November to a single count of Luring a Child with the Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-10 years in prison.
Even though there were two named minor victims in the case, Fletcher and Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer negotiated a plea with the state wherein other more serious charges were dropped. At the time of his arrest, Fletcher was charged with: (1) Luring or Attempting to Lure a Child or Mentally Ill Person to Engage in Sexual Conduct, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, (2) Lewdness with a Child Under the Age of 14, punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole after ten years, and (3) Use or Permit a Minor, Under Age 14, to Produce Pornography, which also carries life in prison with the possibility of parole.
According to Assistant District Attorney Jeffery Weed, the victims were both around 13 years old when the incident occurred and well-known to Fletcher. After the incident, Fletcher moved to Virginia and was later extradited to Nevada for prosecution. Weed argued against probation for Fletcher and asked the Court to consider the maximum penalty despite the psycho-sexual evaluation, which concluded that he was not at a high risk to re-offend. State statute dictates the offense is probational, provided the defendant completes the psycho-sexual evaluation risk assessment, which Fletcher did.
Weed told the Court that this case involved two children, stating, “This man knew these girls for a long time.” The event took place between 2 and 4 a.m. while Fletcher was parked at the Post Office in town. One of the victims was present in the car with him (Victim #1), and Fletcher contacted the other via text message. According to Weed, Fletcher essentially said to the girl he was with, “You could flash me in person,” while soliciting the other girl to text him nude photos (Victim #2).
The investigation found incriminating texts that included conversations like:
Fletcher: What you doing, little girl?
Victim #2: Absolutely nothing.
Fletcher: You don’t feel like sneaking out of your house again?
Victim #2: I could, LOL - What’s on your mind to see me alone at night?
Fletcher: Just to see you before you leave, and I have nothing better to do. (Approximately 3:46 a.m.)
Victim #2: What do I get in return?
Fletcher: Shh. What you read, don’t say it out loud - you could flash me.
Fletcher: Does anyone ever check your phone?
Victim #2: No.
Fletcher: May I ask you something?
Victim #2: Yes.
Fletcher: Are you a sexual person?
Victim #2: No, why?
Fletcher: I wanted to ask for pics of you with no clothes on.
Weed then told the court that the victim proceeded to lecture Fletcher on his bad behavior, in which she made statements like, “I am not a random girl, I am family. So is she [Victim #1].” Victim #2 continued to tell him how disgusting he was, after which he stated he would never touch her and apologized, saying it would never happen again. According to Weed, the victim has nightmares, is afraid to leave her house at times, and trusts very few men, even those within her family. “We do not feel probation is appropriate in this case,” said Weed, “and we are asking for the maximum sentence of four to ten years.”
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer told the Court during defense statements, “We are not attempting in any way to justify his behavior. There is no excuse and there is no question that this is reprehensible. But the question is, how do we help not only the victims but address the behavior, so it never happens again.” Summer explained that Fletcher has a minimal criminal history dating back to 2003. “He has never had an experience like this, never done anything like this,” said Sommer, “He has spent over a year in custody, and he got the message that this is not appropriate.”
Sommer told the Court that when Fletcher moved to Virginia, he was not aware of any warrants for his arrest. Rather, he moved there to live with friends and was not attempting to evade law enforcement in any way. “He did not know what he was being arrested for when it happened,” Sommer continued. “He did not run, and if he had known, he would have turned himself in.”
According to Sommer, who argued for probation for his client, Fletcher grew up in an abusive home and had a terrible upbringing. “We know that his social history has affected his life,” stated Sommer, “While it does not excuse it, these kinds of environments put some context behind his behavior.” Even though Fletcher’s evaluation deemed that he was not at a high risk to re-offend, he has found some treatment facilities in Virginia, where he also has a job waiting. “He is cognizant of his problem and realizes he needs treatment and how he wants to shift to the future and do what he needs to do,” Sommer concluded.
Fletcher addressed the Court before sentencing was pronounced, stating, “I want to apologize to the victims and the families. What I did is inexcusable - I am so ashamed, embarrassed, and disappointed in my actions. I understand what I have done is wrong and destructive. I don’t ever want to hurt anyone again, and I am so sorry.
“I have considered counsel’s argument and the contents of the case,” said Judge Stockard, “and I have considered probation, and I do not find it appropriate.” For the charge of Luring a Child with the Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct, Stockard sentenced Fletcher to 43-108 months in prison. Upon release, he will be subject to lifetime supervision and must register as a sex offender. He will receive 374 days credit for time served.
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