Wanted Carson man arrested entering country from Canada

A Carson City man who police suspect fled to Canada to avoid prosecution for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl was arrested in Washington by border agents Saturday as he attempted to reenter the U.S.

Benedict Stefan LeVal, 26, is being held without bail in the Whatcom County Jail on a Carson City warrant for felony lewdness with a minor and statutory sexual seduction.

When LeVal arrived on a Greyhound bus at the Pacific Highway port of entry Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers checked his name and came upon the felony warrant.

LeVal, who was accompanied by his 3-year-old son, claimed to have been traveling in Canada for the last three months "but only had in his possession one small carry-on bag and $160 cash," according to a news release from the Blaine, Wash., office of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

LeVal was taken into custody and turned over to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office for extradition back to Nevada. The child was turned over to the custody of a social worker from the Washington State Child Protective Service.

Carson City Sheriff's Detective Dena Lacy said that in November 2007, the 14-year-old daughter of LeVal's friend alleged that LeVal had sex with her one night while her parents were out.

Wearing a hidden recorder, the father had confronted LeVal about the allegations, and LeVal had allegedly admitted them. The father turned the tapes over to police.

Lacy said she tried on several occasion to have LeVal meet with her. She last spoke to him in August when he agreed to come in for an interview, but he missed the appointment.

LeVal's brother Micah LeVal pleaded guilty in March to gross misdemeanor conspiracy to use a minor to produce pornography. In July, Micah LeVal was sentenced to 60 days in jail on the charge.

According to court documents, Micah LeVal was friends with the victim's father and in December offered the child $500 to get naked and masturbate while Micah LeVal recorded it on his cell phone.

Lacy said as soon as Micha LeVal served his term in jail, he disappeared and authorities believe he too is in Canada. A gross misdemeanor warrant for probation violation has been issued for Micah LeVal's arrest.

The brothers, both graduates of Carson High School, once ran the Antioch Coffee Co. in Gardnerville.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.