Last Friday afternoon, Sept. 5, a Fernley Intermediate School parent was involved in an altercation where threats were made toward a school district employee.
While the parent was attempting to pick up his child, a Lyon County School District employee assigned to monitor parking lot traffic, temporarily stopped traffic to allow school buses to pass through the congested area.
A parent waiting in his vehicle took exception to this short delay, and started to yell at the staff member. The man continued and ultimately threatened the staff member that he was going to run them over. The parent then quickly drove away, nearly striking the staff member after the threat was made. Deputies later attempted contact with the suspect and were unsuccessful in locating him.
On Monday, Sept. 8 at about 8:45 a.m., a Lyon County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as the Fernley School Resource Officer was at Fernley Intermediate School conducting follow up regarding this incident.
The suspect, who was back at the school, was contacted but refused to identify himself and was extremely uncooperative with the deputy. The suspect became argumentative and combative with the deputy when attempting to detain him.
A physical altercation ensued as the suspect was physically resisting the deputy. During the altercation the deputy utilized his Taser to subdue the suspect and effect the arrest. The suspect was arrested and subsequently transported to the Lyon County Detention Center.
The suspect was identified as Mark Soto, a 47-year-old Fernley resident. He was booked into the jail without further incident on the following charges:
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Protected Person (School Employee)
- Resisting Arrest
- Disturbance of School
- His total bail is set at $26,780
During the altercation the School Resource Deputy sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. No students were present when the altercation took place, however out of an abundance of caution the school was placed on a short lock down while deputies responded and arrested Soto. Once he was in custody the lockdown was lifted and the school resumed normal operations.
