Prosecutor Dismissed Following Alleged Misconduct at Reno Casino
Kenneth Ching, formerly a deputy district attorney in Washoe County, was terminated from his role after being implicated in an incident involving alleged inappropriate behavior at a public establishment.
The incident occurred at the Peppermill Resort Casino in Reno, where authorities claim Ching engaged in sexual activity in a publicly accessible area.
Timeline of Events at Peppermill Resort Casino
According to law enforcement records, officers responded to a disturbance call around 1:30 a.m. on August 30. Casino staff and guests had reported observing two individuals behaving in an indecent manner near the valet entrance.
Ching, 47, had reportedly met a woman earlier that evening at a local tavern. The pair later arrived at the casino, where Ching suggested booking a room, an offer the woman declined. After she accidentally spilled a drink on herself, Ching accompanied her to the restroom. Court filings allege that he made unsolicited physical advances during this time.
Eyewitnesses described the scene near the valet area as involving significant public exposure. Surveillance footage reviewed by police appeared to corroborate these accounts, showing Ching lowering his pants and engaging in sexual conduct with the woman while others passed nearby.
Both individuals were detained after the woman confirmed the interaction was consensual. Breathalyzer tests revealed blood alcohol concentrations exceeding 0.1 for both parties. Ching was charged with open and gross lewdness and released on his own recognizance pending further legal proceedings.
When interviewed by police, Ching declined to comment. Officers noted his pants were unzipped upon arrival.
Legal and Career Consequences
Following the incident, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Ching’s dismissal. To maintain impartiality, the case was reassigned to the Carson City District Attorney’s Office.
Ching is slated to appear in court for arraignment on September 9. Under Nevada law, a conviction for open or gross lewdness can result in up to 364 days of incarceration, fines up to $2,000, and mandatory sex offender registration.
Before his termination, Ching was recognized for his contributions to the legal field, having served as a law professor and earning repeated accolades from Nevada Business Magazine as part of the state’s “Legal Elite.”
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