Military deserter accused of sexual assault arrested in Reno

A traffic stop on I580 near Neil Road in Reno on Monday evening led to the arrest of a military deserter accused of the sexual assault of a minor.

At approximately 9:45 p.m. on June 8, Sergeant Mike Edgell of the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) pulled over a black 2011 Yamaha motorcycle for not having an operating tail lamp.

As Sergeant Edgell approached the motorcycle and its two riders, he was alerted to a felony warrant on a United States Air Force military deserter registered to the motorcycle Illinois license plate owned by David L. Helm. Upon contact with the driver of the motorcycle, the adult male cooperated and identified himself with his Illinois driver’s license as David L. Helm. Sergeant Edgell was able to place Helm into handcuffs without a fight.

The female adult rider/passenger accompanying Helm was identified by her Philippine passport. She was checked for any wants or warrants through the DPS dispatch center and she was checked clear. A taxi cab was called and she was able to leave the scene of the arrest.

David L. Helm was transported to the Washoe County Detention Center where he was booked on the felony warrant for military desertion. He is currently still at the Washoe County jail awaiting the United States Air Force to transport him back to Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County near Belleville, Illinois for his court martial.

The USAF first alerted the public to Helm’s disappearance on June 4 when he was scheduled to appear before a military court on Monday, June 1. Helm is also accused of sexual assault on a female younger than 16 years old.