Reno Casino Sex Assaults Lead to Life in Prison for Assailant
A man was ordered recently to spend life in prison for sexual assaults against two women at Reno, Nev. gaming properties.
Bill Ellis, 27, was given the sentence after he pleaded guilty to battery with intent to commit sexual assault against an older person and attempted sexual assault with the use of a deadly weapon.
He won’t be eligible for parole until serving at least 20 years behind bars, according to the sentence handed down by Judge Lynne Jones.
When arguing for a life sentence, Deputy District Attorney Darcy Cameron told the judge the trauma inflicted upon the two victims “was unthinkable and the defendant posed a significant danger to the community,” according to a statement released Monday by Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks.
Both incidents took place last December.
Aggressive Groping
In one crime, Ellis began to sexually assault a 63-year-old female employee in a casino employee area hallway. The “aggressive” groping was stopped by two other casino workers, prosecutors said. Ellis fled from the crime scene.
Just an hour later, at a second gaming property, Ellis entered a woman’s restroom.
A woman saw him enter the restroom, so she waited before entering herself. She thought he had left, so she went inside and entered a stall.
But he was still inside the restroom.
He was able to make his way under the door of the stall.
Pulled Knife in Restroom
He placed a knife on the woman’s neck and threatened to stab her. He kissed her and tried to get her to engage in a sex act.
Thinking quickly, the woman was able to convince Ellis to go with her to her hotel room. The two went on an escalator, and then Ellis pushed her to the floor. He then attempted a sex assault.
She began to yell for help. A good Samaritan came by and Ellis fled.
Reno police were alerted and officers reviewed casino surveillance video.
Ellis was identified as a suspect. He was arrested a short time later. He had a pocket knife in his possession when officers apprehended him. Ellis was booked at the Washoe County jail.
Neither casino was identified in statements from prosecutors.
Initially, he was charged with:
- False imprisonment with a deadly weapon (sexually motivated)
- Battery to commit sexual assault with a deadly weapon
- Attempted sexual assault
- Battery to commit sexual assault with elderly enhancement
- Open and gross lewdness
The news of Bill Ellis's life sentence for his casino-related sexual assaults has sparked concern in the Reno community. Despite winning at various gaming properties in Reno, Ellis's actions in a casino employee area and a woman's restroom led to his arrest for several serious charges, including sexual assault and false imprisonment with a deadly weapon.
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