A Reno man was given a suspended sentence of one year in jail Monday for a failed attempt in June to set fire to the Supreme Court building in protest of a scheduled change in sex offender registry law.
Christopher Hollis, 26, pleaded guilty to a charge of gross misdemeanor malicious destruction of property.
In lieu of the suspended sentence, Hollis must serve at least two years probation and complete a six-month psychological program related to his stay at a transitional living facility that focuses on reintegrating offenders into society.
On June 22, Hollis used an "incendiary device" to attempt to light the Supreme Court building on fire, causing minor damage. Hollis also scrawled an "anti-government" slogan nearby in black spray paint.
Legislative complex officers discovered the scene the following morning.
Surveillance at the complex showed Hollis walking to and from the area, but there were no cameras that caught the actual act.
In the days leading up to the attempted arson, Hollis also allegedly threatened to stage an event at the special session to "send a message," according to court documents.
Hollis told investigators he was upset about changes in the sex offender tier system that were due to take effect July 1.
In September, a Nevada judge determined that retroactive application of the new law was unconstitutional.
Hollis was convicted in 2000 on a charge of second-degree sexual assault in Big Spring, Texas. He is listed a tier 2 sex offender on the Nevada Sex Offender Registry.
- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.