Man accused of assaulting at least 10 children in his home

By Mary Manning

Published Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 12:34 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 12:59 p.m.

Nye County detectives have arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting several children.

Authorities said 57-year-old Samuel Vernon Hamett is accused of committing sexual acts against children under the age of 14. Investigators have interviewed several of the alleged victims, the sheriff's office said.

So far 10 children have been identified, ranging in age from toddlers to 14 year olds, detectives said.

Nye County authorities said they believe other children who may have gone to Hamett's home over the last several years might also be victims.

Hamett has been booked into the Nye County Sheriff's Office jail on lewdness with a child under 14, sexual assault with a child under 14, child abuse, sexual exploitation of a child, and open and gross lewdness, each charge amounting to 10 counts each.

Bail of $250,000 is pending. Hamett is expected to be arraigned Tuesday.

Anyone whose children have had contact with Hamett in the past three years is being urged to call Detective David Boruchowitz at (775) 751-7000.

Hamett was arrested by Metro Police for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license in 1995 and 1996, trafficking in a controlled substance in 1994 and 1995, and burglary in 1993, a spokeswoman for Metro Police said.