A Deputy Sheriff in Elko County Was Found Not Guilty of Sexual Assault

A deputy sheriff from Elko County was found not guilty of sexually assaulting and battering a woman in 2020, and a judge declared a mistrial on additional sexual assault and drug charges arising from earlier incidents.

According to the Elko Daily Free Press, an Elko County district court jury found Richard Lespade, 38, not guilty of sexual assault and battery with the intent to commit sexual assault on Tuesday.

After the jury failed to reach a verdict on the second sexual assault charge from six years earlier, and a charge of sale or transportation of a controlled substance — the amphetamine Adderall — Judge Mason Simons declared a mistrial on the other counts.

Lespade has been on paid administrative leave since he was arrested on the charges about a year ago in Elko County Jail.

According to prosecutors, the accuser had an on-again, off-again relationship with Lespade, shared a child with him, and was receiving child support from him.

The woman claimed that he sexually assaulted her twice, causing a black eye and bloody ear, and then dispensed Adderall to keep her in the relationship.

Elko County District Attorney Tyler Ingram told the Free Press that no decision on a retrial for the remaining two counts has been made.

Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza stated that he is awaiting the DA’s decision before launching an internal investigation to determine whether Lespade should be returned to active duty.

Credits: Fox Reno