Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

RSONU Detectives arrest, charge sex offenders for non-compliance
Please note: this is a regional press release

Two convicted sex offenders are in custody at the Washoe County Detention Facility.

Brian Young, 50, was located and arrested by RSONU detectives on March 8, 2022. Through their investigation, detectives were able to determine that Young had been out of compliance since October of 2021. Young is a Tier III sex offender previously convicted in Washoe County of Sexual Assault. His victim was a 13-year-old male juvenile. Young is charged with one felony count of being a sex offender who failed to register, first offense.

Luis Vasquez-Lopez, 19, was arrested by the Regional Gang Unit (RGU) on March 4, 2022, for one count of possession of marijuana, and one felony count of violating juvenile parole. Vasquez-Lopez was previously convicted in Washoe County (Juvenile Court) for one count of Sexual Assault Against a Child Under 14, and one count of Attempted Sexual Assault Against a Child Under 14. The juvenile convictions classified Vasquez-Lopez as a Tier III sex offender who is required to register on the publicly-accessible Sex Offender Registry. These convictions are also why Vasquez-Lopez was on juvenile parole. Vasquez-Lopez had not been living at his registered address since approximately August of 2021, and his whereabouts were unknown. The RGU contacted RSONU and advised detectives of Vasquez-Lopez’s arrest. RSONU Detectives were able to add-book Vasquez-Lopez on two felony charges of being a sex offender who failed annual verification and being a sex offender who failed to update his address.

The RSONU was formed in 1998 to be in compliance with federal law passed in 1997.  At that time Washoe County, the City of Sparks and the City of Reno all agreed there was a need for coordination in law enforcement in the tracking, monitoring, investigation, public notification, and the arrest and prosecution of non-compliant sex offenders.  The Nevada State Police Division of Parole and Probation recognized the importance of RSONU mission and joined the unit in 2022. The RSONU operates as a regional, multi-jurisdictional and collaborative entity to carry out the requirements of community notifications as set forth in Chapter 179D of the Nevada Revised Statutes.  The RSONU’s jurisdictional boundaries encompass all of Washoe County, including the Cities of Reno and Sparks.

Currently, there are about 1400 registered sex offenders in the Reno, Sparks and Washoe County area.  Each of the three investigators are assigned more than 400 offenders to monitor.

The RSONU is open Monday through Friday, 7am to 5pm, excluding holidays, and can be reached at 775-325-6483.

Photo 1: Brian Young
Photo 2: Luis Vasquez-Lopez

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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