Man accused in child molestation, mother's assault

Bail was reduced Monday for a Carson City man who was arrested Oct. 5 for allegedly raping a 9-year-old girl then holding her mother captive at knife point when she confronted him.

Darren John Sweetland, a 36-year-old telephone technician, appeared in Justice Court on Monday where his bail was reduced from $ $275,605 to $100,000 by Justice of the Peace Robey Willis.

District Attorney Noel Waters asked that Sweetland be on house arrest, have no contact with the victim, surrender his passport and any weapons and check in daily with alternative sentencing.

Sweetland is charged with suspicion of felony sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14, felony assault with a deadly weapon, gross misdemeanor false imprisonment, and misdemeanor battery.

According to the police report, a deputy was called to Carson-Tahoe Hospital where he found both victims.

The child told the officer the man, who is known to the family, forced himself on her Friday night while her mother slept on the couch.

Hours later, when the mother awakened, the child told her what happened.

When the mother confronted the man, the report states, he threw her onto the bed, pinned her with his knees "then put a knife to her throat (and) told her he would kill her."

Sweetland was arrested the following day at Telegraph and Nevada streets.