Sex Assaults at Reno Casino Lead to Life in Prison for Assailant

Posted on: July 23, 2024, 05:56h. 

Last updated on: July 23, 2024, 09:55h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A man was ordered recently to spend life in prison for sexual assaults against two women at Reno, Nev. gaming properties.

Bill Ellis
Bill Ellis, pictured above in a mug shot, was sentenced to life in prison for casino sex assaults. (Image: Washoe County jail)

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 women’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.

Ellis, however, was still inside the restroom and was able to make his way under the door of the stall the woman occupied. He placed a knife on the woman’s neck and threatened to stab her before kissing her and trying 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. On the way to the room, Ellis pushed the woman to the floor and attempted to sexually assault her. A good Samaritan heard the woman scream and approached the scene, causing Ellis to flee.

Reno police were alerted and officers reviewed casino surveillance video.

Ellis was identified as a suspect and 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.