Lyon County Sheriff's Office Arrests Elementary School Teacher on Child Sexual Abuse Charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2026
Dayton, Nev. – The Lyon County Sheriff's Office has arrested 40-year-old Shaun Sanchez following an extensive investigation into allegations that he sexually abused two former elementary school students while employed as a teacher at Dayton Elementary School.
The investigation began in February 2026 after a former student reported that Sanchez had sexually abused him while he was an elementary school student. During the course of the investigation, detectives identified a second former student who independently reported similar acts allegedly committed by Sanchez several years earlier.
Detectives conducted a comprehensive investigation into both reports and identified multiple significant similarities between the independent accounts. Based on the totality of the evidence developed during the investigation, detectives established probable cause to seek an arrest warrant.
On August 5, 2026, the Dayton Township Justice Court issued an arrest warrant for Sanchez. He was taken into custody without incident later that evening and booked into the Lyon County Jail on three counts of Lewdness with a Child Under the Age of 14. Bail was set at $300,000.
Because this remains an active criminal case, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office will not be releasing additional details regarding the allegations or information that could identify the victims.
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office recognizes that investigations involving crimes against children require a careful, thorough, and victim-centered approach. Detectives remain committed to pursuing these cases with professionalism, compassion, and diligence while ensuring the rights of all parties are protected throughout the judicial process.
Anyone with information related to this investigation, or who believes they may have had inappropriate contact with Shaun Sanchez, is encouraged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division at (775) 463-6600 or by email at detective@lyon-county.org.
Jeffrey S. Miller
Central Commander
Lyon County Sheriff’s Office
