Man, 32, gets life in prison in sexual abuse of 12-year-old

RENO — A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old mentally handicapped girl in Stead.

Washoe County District Judge Patrick Flanagan issued the sentence Friday to Daniel Gwyn, who will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

Gwyn pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a child stemming from incidents that occurred in December and November at a Stead home he shared with his girlfriend and her daughter.

Gwyn fled after his girlfriend interrupted one of the assaults involving her daughter. He ended up in a Lemmon Valley home, prompting a standoff with police that ended with Gwyn shooting himself in the abdomen.

Dan Greco, chief deputy district attorney, said the mental capacity of the 12-year-old was that of a much younger child.

“It’s unclear if she understands the gravity of what he did to her,” Greco said.