The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Task Force has arrested a Silver Springs sex offender and a Fernley sex offender who were out of compliance with Nevada’s sex offender registration requirements.
Over the past several days, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office received numerous anonymous tips from members of the public regarding the whereabouts of 69-year-old Silver Springs resident Jeffery Martin, a Tier III Registered Sex Offender who was known to be out of compliance with his registration requirements.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. Monday, members of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Central Command Patrol Area and the LCSO Sex Offender Task Force located Martin in the 1400 block of Nevada Street in Silver Springs. Martin was positively identified and taken into custody without incident.
Martin was booked on one felony count of Violation of Sex Offender Registration Requirements.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the community members who took the time to submit information regarding Martin’s whereabouts. The information provided by the public played a significant role in helping deputies and task force members locate and arrest him. Community involvement remains one of the most effective tools in ensuring offender compliance and enhancing public safety.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Task Force is committed to ensuring that convicted sex offenders residing, working, or attending school within Lyon County remain in compliance with all registration requirements imposed by Nevada law. Through proactive compliance checks, targeted enforcement efforts, and collaboration with community members, the Task Force works to promote accountability and enhance public safety throughout Lyon County.
Members of the public who have information regarding a sex offender who may be out of compliance with registration requirements are encouraged to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Task Force at SOTF@lyon-county.org.
Sex Offender Task Force arrests Non-Compliant Registered Sex Offender in Fernley
On June 20, 2026, at approximately 7:58 a.m., members of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Command Patrol Area were conducting an investigation into an unrelated matter in the Fernley area when they contacted individuals living in a vehicle parked near the Walmart located on East Newlands Drive. During the contact, one of the investigating deputies, who is also a member of the LCSO Sex Offender Task Force, recognized one of the individuals as Matthew Ryan Villafane, a registered sex offender.
As the investigation continued, the deputy determined Villafane had been residing in multiple locations within Fernley and had failed to update his sex offender registration as required by law. Investigators also determined Villafane had failed to register the vehicle in which he was living.
The Lyon County Sex Offender Task Force’s investigation revealed Villafane had last registered with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office on May 12, 2026. Since that time, he had changed his residence multiple times without properly updating his registration information within the required timeframe.
Based on the investigation, Villafane was arrested and booked on one felony count of violation of sex offender registration requirements. He was transported to the Lyon County Jail without incident.
The LCSO encourages community members to report any concerns or suspicious activity regarding sexual offender compliance. Together, law enforcement and the community can continue to promote safety and accountability throughout Lyon County.
