Leanna Lehman
Sebastian Nathaniel Landers, 32, was arrested on Nov. 21 on 11 counts alleging sexual assault of a child and offenses relating to sexual assault, abuse, neglect, and coercion.
On November 23, the Churchill County District Attorney’s Office filed Criminal Complaints in New River Township Justice Court alleging the following:
Count 1: Sexual Assault on a Child Under the Age of 14, a Category A Felony punishable by 35 years to life in prison. If substantial bodily harm was incurred, the charge carries life in prison with no parole. The complaint states that between Aug.12, 2024, and Nov. 17, 2025, Landers unlawfully committed acts that constitute sexual assault on a child who was eight years old at the time of the alleged offense.
Counts 2-4: These counts allege the same charge as above. Multiple identical counts generally signify varying incidents, locations, dates, or victims.
Count 5: Also, Sexual Assault on a Child Under the Age of 14. This count identifies a different alleged victim, who was seven years old at the time, and that the offense occurred at a different location.
Count 6: Lewdness with a Child Under the Age of 14, a Category A Felony punishable by life in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, and Tier III sex offender registration for a first offense. The Criminal Complaint alleges that between Aug.12, 2024, and Nov. 17, 2025, Landers did willfully commit lewd or lascivious acts upon an eight-year-old child that meet the requirements for the charge.
Count 7-8: Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child, a Category B Felony punishable by 2-20 years in prison. According to the complaint, between Aug.12, 2024, and Nov. 17, 2025, Landers did allegedly permit a seven-year-old child to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or placed that child in such a situation where the child could suffer pain or suffering as a result of abuse or neglect. Additionally, court documents indicate substantial bodily or mental harm was incurred.
In Nevada, child sexual assault, sexual exploitation, or lewdness also constitute child abuse or neglect, defined as “non-accidental harm” which threatens the child’s person or well-being. When referring to a single incident and victim, defendants can either be convicted of child abuse or sexual assault, but not both. When multiple counts are alleged, it is not uncommon for child abuse charges to accompany sexual assault charges.
Count 9: Indecent or Obscene Exposure in the Presence of a Child Under the Age of 18 or a Vulnerable Person, a Category D Felony Punishable by 1-4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. During the same dates listed above, the charge alleges that Landers did expose himself to children who were approximately seven and eight years old at the time of the offense.
On Nov. 23, the District Attorney filed an additional Criminal Complaint charging Landers with: Count I, Misdemeanor Distributing Obscenity to Minors, punishable by up to 364 days in jail. The complaint alleges that Landers knowingly showed pornography to a child, and Count 2, Misdemeanor Coercion, also punishable by up to 364 days in jail. The state alleges that Landers intimidated a victim to prevent the child from telling anyone about the sexual abuse.
At the time of his arraignment on Nov. 23, Landers indicated that he intended to retain counsel and waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days. As Landers did not have counsel at the time, Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer appeared on his behalf.
Sommer requested that Justice Court Judge Benjamin Trotter release Landers on his own recognizance (OR). Assistant District Attorney opposed the release, stating that bail was appropriate in this case, which Judge Trotter set at $475,890. Should Landers be released, Baker requested that he be subject to an ankle monitor.
A Jimenez hearing was conducted, at which time Judge Trotter determined Landers was eligible for an OR release and imposed the conditions that he have no contact with the victims or their mother, that he check in with Court Services Daily, provide random drug tests as instructed, and commit no other criminal offenses. Should Landers violate the terms of his release, he will be returned to custody with the $475,890 bail attached.
On Dec. 11, Landers appeared for a status hearing at which time he told Judge Trotter he was intending to retain Joey Gilbert, Esq., of Reno, and had a consultation scheduled for later that day. The matter was continued to allow Landers time to retain counsel.
All defendants are guaranteed Constitutional Due Process protections and are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. All charges against Landers are alleged, and all information in this article is based solely on publicly available court documents.
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