By MATT WARD and GINA B. GOOD
PVT
Nye County Sheriff’s deputies stand by their arrests of four Floyd Elementary school employees Tuesday on multiple counts of child abuse, saying that more evidence was uncovered by their investigation on Wednesday.
Although no additional charges were filed, the four women — Principal Holly Lepisto, 53, teacher Sarah Hopkins, 52, and special education aides Phyllis DuShane, 73, and Kathryn Cummings, 56 — saw their bail almost tripled to $100,000 by Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill on Wednesday.
The judge released DuShane for medical reasons, but the three others were in custody as of press time.
The Nye County School District has started an internal investigation and has suspended all four women as well as a fifth, unidentified aide, officials said.
Ed Lepisto, the principal’s husband, was hoping to get his wife out of jail before the holiday, working with a bail bondsman as well as with local defense attorney Jason Earnest to secure her release. He said that the bail increase only added to the shock of the past 24 hours.
“We’re all in shock. The community is in shock. Police officers who were at the scene were in shock,” the principal’s husband said.
Earnest said he would not comment about his client’s case until more information was available to him.
The Pahrump Valley Times requested the criminal complaint and police reports, called deck sheets, from Sheriff Tony DeMeo and officials at the Pahrump Jail. Those records were not made public. Brian Kunzi, the county’s new district attorney, says criminal complaints will likely be filed on Monday. According to a press release made available Tuesday, Holly Lepisto was arrested for conducting “an extremely poor investigation” when a complaint was made to her about the manner in which Hopkins was punishing a student.
Sources at the school confirm that Hopkins was told by Lepisto not to punish a certain disabled student in a certain manner because it may look abusive to some. According to police, though, Lepisto was required by law to notify law enforcement and Division of Child and Family Services officials when the complaint was made. No one at the Division of Child and Family Services was available for comment Wednesday, though one official said they were not aware of the case until reading about it in news reports.
DeMeo says four students, and possibly more, were subject to abuse at the hands of the instructors. DuShane, Cummings and Hopkins were arrested at their homes. Lepisto, however, was arrested on school grounds in front of students.
DeMeo defended the arrests.
“These allegations are crimes committed against people who could not defend themselves. There’s a lot more to it,” he said. “There is validation in this investigation to the allegations.”
Asked if the police recovered any videotaped proof of the abuse — cameras are located inside and outside of Floyd Elementary — DeMeo said there wasn’t. The investigation, which was launched only a few days ago, started when “someone, who told someone, who told someone, who told a police officer,” the sheriff said. After that, “it unraveled.”
The detective who brought the criminal charges against the four women is also a local advocate for disabled children — he also has a reputation as a no-holds-barred detective who some call a “rogue” deputy.
Det. David Boruchowitz was a central player in the downfall of former District Attorney Bob Beckett, even facing, and later exonerated of, multiple criminal charges himself during that saga. He was the arresting officer when former candidate for sheriff Ted Holmes, who is suing the county for millions of dollars, was charged with impersonating an officer. Numerous statements from multiple sources spanning more than a few cases show the detective to have a gritty, off-putting style of dealing with members of the public during criminal investigations.
A school official who wishes to remain anonymous, who says they witnessed the principal’s arrest, says the detective was forceful in his questioning of Lepisto, engaging in tactics such as repeating her answers to his questions multiple times back to her and misquoting her, and then threatening to arrest her. The witness said it seemed as if Lepisto was being coerced.
Lepisto’s husband said the real abuse in his wife’s case occurred when the detective arrived at Floyd Elementary School. He was there as she was led away.
“This is a witch hunt. I went up there. I said ‘honey, what’s wrong,’ and she said, ‘they don’t believe me,’” he said. “They hammered her. What’s that all about? That’s abuse. And it’s done by our sheriff’s department.”
DeMeo said the principal “made a scene” at the school and that detectives attempted to be discreet.
Boruchowitz declined to comment about his interview of Lepisto. Asked whether his position as president of local nonprofit Pahrump Disability Outreach Program, a nonprofit outreach group that works with family members of disabled children, played any role in the investigation, he said no.
Asked whether he thought his off-duty role in PDOP constituted a conflict of interest, he said no.
“I’m an advocate for disabled children, all children, at work and off-duty,” he said.
DeMeo said he agrees there is not a conflict of interest.
Coincidentally, a press release from PDOP was issued two hours after the Nye County Sheriff’s Office released its information about Lepisto and the other educators’ arrests. In the release, the group states “The betrayal of trust that these individuals have exhibited is a devastation felt not only by you and your families but by all of us as a community.”
It goes on to address the people arrested on Tuesday: “The Pahrump community will not tolerate this behavior by you or anyone else especially in your position.”
Lepisto has been an educator in Pahrump for four years. She and her husband left Ohio so she could teach here. She was given the assignment at Floyd, her husband said, because she was so good at what she does. Lepisto’s own education focused on special education. She also has two masters degrees.
“She’s been a servant of the people for 30 years and this is what she gets,” Ed Lepisto said.
Asked why he believes she was arrested, her husband says the principal is dumbfounded and figures that another complaint must have been made to police and not to her.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said.
Gary Loyko, who has a 6-year-old son in Hopkins’ class, says he’s still in shock by the events. In his dealings with Boruchowitz, he says he was treated rudely by the detective. He said that it appeared that unless he wished to provide Boruchowitz with incriminating statements against the educators, the detective didn’t want to talk to him.
“When I didn’t have any evidence or one more nail to put in their coffin, he couldn’t get off the phone fast enough,” Loyko said. “He’s talking like they’re already guilty.”
DeMeo says he believes all of the complaints registered by the public are mostly due to shock. He says his subordinates followed the investigation where it led. Capt. Bill Becht, who oversees all criminal investigations in Nye County, said he was “disgusted” when he was made aware of the evidence uncovered in the case.
“The victims, the whole circumstances just disgusted me. It’s a violation of public trust,” he said.
The kids at Floyd Elementary School look forward to the day before Thanksgiving when their parents or caretakers bring little brothers and sisters to visit their classrooms — many of whom are in strollers — to join in on the yearly Turkey Trot.
The families walk, or run in some cases, through the desert behind the school.
Normally, the families are joined by their principal, Holly Lepisto, who dresses in an outrageously loud and goofy turkey outfit. The students pose with her for family photos and she greets the kids by name.
“We’re missing our turkey this year,” said a front desk clerk at the school who saw Lepisto handcuffed by Boruchowitz on Wednesday and taken out the front door of the school. “It was horrible.”
UPDATE: Bail raised to $100,000; police say evidence mounts against educators
Posted on26 November 2010.
- UPDATE: Bail raised to $100,000; police say evidence mounts against educators
- UPDATE: Floyd Elementary principal, teacher released on bail; aide remains in custody
Tax assessor’s racist rants made public
- BREAKING NEWS: Extent of alleged abuse at Floyd Elementary revealed in court documents. Multiple search warrants served on student, teacher records
- CHARGES FILED: Records reveal case against educators
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From PVT on FB…”Pahrump Valley Times
WHAT? We hear former D.A. Bob Beckett is defending Floyd Elementary aide Kathryn Cummings and special education teacher Sarah Hopkins against charges of child abuse and conspiracy.”
Hope he stays sober LOL
I heard the NCSO has hired ex-KGB officers to beat confessions out of special needs kids. After that they will open the secret files and come after all the Pahrump citizens so the secret NCSO cabal can take over and rule the world. Its a fact. Heard it from a real Pahrumpian.
wonder why? I thought charges were already made. curious
Bullying is how Cops get their start, They can do it legal and get away with it. The Cops are the real problems with attitudes that need a bit of ajustment.
How about to protect and serve the Public, Not the State and the Town.
Police the other Cops thatare doing bad things like the Judges that do not follow the Law. America is really going down the TOILET!
To: Thanks Ass. Sheriff Rick Marshall
Actually, I do respond to questions / comments.
Unlike you, I do not hide behind a fake name and I am not afraid to use my real name when I post.
Have a good weekend.
Finally the NCSO is prepared to speak on this topic! Please answer the following:
1) Can you please detail the evidence gathered in this case?
2) Can you please explain why the Principal was arrested in front of school children causing them trauma?
3) Can you please explain your rationale for putting a Detective with a special needs son in charge of investigating this case? Don’t you think he might be emotionally to close to the subject matter which could possibly impair his objectivity?
4) What is the NCSO official policy on conflicts of interest? Do you think it is appropriate for your Detective to make press releases in his capacity as the President of non-profit for disabled children effectively condeming these women as guilty before they have had their trial?
5) What is the NCSO official policy on the use of Facebook and other social media to discuss their official police business?
6) Are police officers mandatory reporters? What if you learned that a member of your department used corporal punishment on their own special needs child? Would you investigate it?
7) What is the NCSO official policy on the U.S. Constitution? Do you guys even think it applies in Nye County?
The public eagerly awaits your informative and detailed response.
Sherif Marshall. please answer the questions posted
To Thanks: Sheriff Rick Marshall he is not the only A** up here. Lets have the biggest A** contest and the winner is Det. Rogue Boruchowitz by a mile.
Leave Rich Marshall alone, lol!
Wow Awesome!! I can’t wait either!! Would definitely like to know the answer to number two, as that was COMPLETELY out of line! But ALL of these are fabulous questions! So………… NCSO?
You will not get answers to real questions from the NCSO. They will say “Just come down to the station and we can talk about it in person.” This is their standard tactic for people who don’t agree with their methods. It allows them to identify you and so they can put you on The List. Some people can’t use their real names Ass. Sheriff Marshall. If they do, your office will retaliate against them. Plain, simple, honest truth. Of course you use your real name, Stalin used his name openly as well. Justice will come for you and Boruchowitz eventually as she is ever vigilant and patient.
“2) Can you please explain why the Principal was arrested in front of school children causing them trauma?”
If that caused your kids “trauma” they are doomed.. lol They better wake up and face the real world and quickly, because seeing someone arrested is the least of the bad things they might see in their lives.
You better teach your kids about the real world.
Rick replied with the typical NCSO BS in another thread. There you have it ladies and gentlemen. All your questions answered by the NCSO. Look at how Rick tries to distance himself from this one. He expects us to believe he knows “nothing” about this case. Ricky Marshall for Sheriff in 2014 – He Knows Nothing Except for What He Reads in the Paper LOL
You are right Laugher. We should teach our kids about the real world. You do mean the real world in Nye County right? Believe me I am teaching my kids not to trust men with badges and guns. It is sad isn’t it? You are right, 6 -7 year olds really need to get an eye opening about the real world. I’m sure arrests are typical in your trailer but for most people they are not. I truly hope you have no children.
laugher. what is your problem? you act as though this whole situation is somehow entertaining and frivolous. i suggest you put the cheesey doodles and chocolate milk down, put your pants on , come out of your mommy’s basement and see what is really happening. i suggest a shower as well. don’t be afraid, most of us are lucid and forgiving to those with challenges
It is entertaining and frivolous, a teacher is accused of breaking the law and got arrested. Simple as that. This isn’t some big conspiracy, this isn’t shocking, if you make enough laws, someone is bound to run afoul of them, and chances are what these teachers did was acceptable say some 20 or so years ago.
I have to wonder where all these worry wart parents were when they started the policy of LOCKING DOWN schools with danger still inside the school? No one spoke up then, when district by district, schools put in the “Die in place” policy, so dont come crying to me when your own rules and laws bite one of your beloved teachers in the behind.
Its also entertaining to watch the teacher union THUGS come on here and defend the teachers.
In the end, all this blabbing on about it wont change the facts, and I suspect that things were handled correctly given the evidence the police had.
Anyway, just know that there are sane people who do not FREAK OUT every time one of these things happen in town.. and we will be silently giggling when the truth comes out and we are correct yet again.
That’s right Laugher you tell ‘em. Why not just use your real name Sgt. Mark Medina. You and Boruchowitz love the intimidation aspect of your jobs don’t you? What a bunch of cowardly punks.
laugher! is it true?. are you a cop? you really don’t seem intimadating, just rather angry and uninformed. what teachers union thugs?
hey laugher,(medina)www.lasvegascitylife.com/articles/2009/07/29/…/iq_30259712.txt
You can tell it is Medina. His uneducated rage is prevalent. Check out his FB profile. He thinks a cops job is “to do violence at night”. Another NCSO turd. They are pretty obvious to spot here even though they don’t use their names. Anybody figure out why Ricky hasn’t answered the questions? It must be date night with the new female NCSO recruits so he is a little tied up.
I only wish I had gone into Law Enforcement.. lol later in life I found it quite interesting but too old to do it now. Such is life. Nope, not a cop, not a fed, not a member of the FBI CIA or NSA. Just a little old guy laughing at the way people jump to conclusions about every arrest that is made in this town.
A few members of my family were law enforcement in California, so I know the crud they put up with on a daily basis, and yes, I know full well there are bad cops out there, but come on folks, this Bourouchwitswhateverhis name is.. you guys make him out to be Satan or something.
No one was there, no one knows what happened. Sadly when a child makes an accusation the police HAVE to investigate.
And the only rage I have seen on this page has been people accusing the cops of doing all sorts of nutty things. Trust me, a few misspelled words look a whole lot better than some nutcases accusing the cops of a conspiracy at every turn. Its actually pretty trashy.
So yeah, I came off pretty harsh and nasty.. and for that I apologize, but it really ticks me off when very people who would take a bullet to protect your kids are being trashed and accused of crimes just for doing their jobs.
As an aside, perhaps you guys should defy your little leader and discuss this on Positive Pahrump even if Stephanie laid down the law and said to come over here and talk about it. If you are all so brave, why not use your real names?
Read your comment LOL–It is very funny that people like you and your dumba** comments don’t have the courage to say these thing to these peoples faces–because you are a gutless wonder that says things that you can’t back up or does not have the courage to confronts your clueless accusations..You must be a disgruntled employee or wanna be deputy that could not make it on the department or just a psycho take your pick..And are you stalking him–And I bet that you are the type that dreams about him and what you “THINK” he is up to or seeing–What a loser you are and you need to talk to someone that can help you with your OBSESSIONS of other people like Rick–Sick perv*rt
nye county quizzer R U related to the principal or one of the others ? please explain
That is so true every word. I am waiting for Boruchowitz to arrest my disabled sons dog now. I dont know for what but it seems Boruchowitz is very creative. It it obvious very little back ground checks are done, in the last three years in Pahrump the Sheriffs department has had at least two cops arrested for rape, several for battery, a unknown number for drugs. And how many cops resigned from other departments (states) to save what they vested in retirement and the department dont have to hang the dirty laundry out on what the cop did, just send them out to Pahrump and bully, torment, file a false arrest with false evidence tampered tapes, and lie in the arrest statements all of them.
Best comment yet
He is too small to be an officer
He can’t answer questions now, it would jeopardize the prosecutions case. There are certain protocols law enforcement personnel abide by for legal reasons. This will all come out during the trial, and we’ll all see the facts unfold.
Your son’s dog it totally going down. I heard Det. Boruchowitz specifically instruct it not to go for the shotgun in the corner on the audio tape!! Det. Rogue wouldn’t last 24 hours in a real police agency.
NCSO is now harassing other teachers at other schools. If you are a Nye County educator/admin and the NCSO wants to speak with you DO NOT TALK TO THEM WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY PRESENT!!! Their case sucks and they are trying to generate numbers now. Beware.
Are you a comedian Greg because your statement is hilarious? NCSO does not follow law enforcement protocols and the term legal is foreign to them.
Have you looked in the mirror lately. Why don’t you be man and say this crap to there faces or maybe your just a little mouse that needs attention or waiting for your mommy to give you that special attention.
det b IS going to schools. aren’t you david? he is right. don’t say a word without a lawyer
Det. Rogue please quit hiding behind your badge and Tony’s skirt and posting in your own defense. Love, a mouse waiting for his mommy to look in the mirror
Indeed he is. Him and the goon squad were at Hafen and J.G. Johnson yesterday. Back at Lepistos school yesterday and today. When my second grader asked me Why was Ms. Lepisto taken away by police? I just tell her even police make mistakes and some of them are just very bad men.