Man sentenced to life for assault of NV girl

A trucker facing two rape charges in Washington state was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for luring and sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled girl in his big-rig near Sparks Marina.

Richard Bunch, 51, was given a life sentence by Washoe District Judge Patrick Flanagan on his conviction of lewdness with a minor, and up to 15 years for luring a child.

Bunch pleaded guilty and later attempts to withdraw his pleas were denied by the judge, court records show.

During his sentencing Wednesday, Bunch told the judge the girl lied about the assault and he faulted police for "buying her story," the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

Flanagan ordered the prison terms to run consecutively, saying the crimes should "send shivers down the spine of any human being."

The victim told Flanagan she was "grateful" that Bunch "didn't kidnap, hurt or kill me."

"I know it could have been so much worse. I have learned not to trust anyone," she said, adding, "I feel better knowing he won't do this again to anyone else."

According to investigators, Bunch approached the 13-year-old girl at the Sparks Marina in July 2008. They swam briefly before he lured her into his truck by asking if she wanted to watch a movie.

Police said Bunch got girl's cell phone number, and called her the next day. That helped investigators track him to Washington state.

Authorities there say Bunch is a suspect in the July 2008 rape of a 9-year-old girl at Central Washington University and the April 2008 rape and robbery of a college student at St. Martin's University in Lacey, Wash.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com