LeVal pleads to attempted lewdness

A Carson City man will be sentenced June 1 on one count of attempted lewdness with a minor after pleading guilty Monday.

Benedict Stefan LeVal, 26, entered the plea before District Judge Todd Russell.

LeVal, with his 2-year-old son in tow, was arrested on a Carson City warrant Dec. 30 as he re-entered the United States in Washington from Canada.

He claimed to have been traveling in Canada for the past three months "but only had in his possession one small carry-on bag and $160 cash," according to the Blaine, Wash., office of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

LeVal's attorney Martin Weiner asked Russell to reduce his client's bail, saying LeVal and his family have strong ties in the community. Weiner said that just because LeVal was in Canada, it didn't mean he had tried to elude charges.

"He didn't know there was a warrant for his arrest, so he didn't go to Canada to flee. He went to visit friends," said Weiner.

Russell denied the request and LeVal remains in custody on $50,000 bail.

In November 2007, the 14-year-old daughter of LeVal's friend alleged that LeVal had sex with her. Wearing a hidden recorder, the father confronted LeVal about the allegations, and LeVal allegedly admitted to them, according to police reports. The father turned the tapes over to police.

In exchange for the plea a charge of felony lewdness with a minor was dismissed. LeVal faces two to 20 years in prison when sentenced.

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