Dad convicted of sexually abusing daughter (Fallon, Nevada)

Father THUNDER VAN ZANT has been convicted on sexually abusing his daughter from age 3 to 18. Was there a mother in this home? There is no mention of her.

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090721/NEWS/907219985/1055&ParentProfile=1045

Fallon dad sent to prison for incest
By Michael Maresh
LVN Staff Writer

A 39-year-old Fallon man was sentenced on Tuesday morning to a lengthy prison sentence for repeatedly molesting one of his daughters.

Thunder Van Zant was given a prison term of seven years to almost 12 years by District Judge Leon Aberasturi.

After being arrested Jan. 20 by the Churchill County Sheriff's Office, Van Zant pleaded no contest to lewdness with a child under the age of 14. The victim chose not to deliver a verbal statement to the court and instead had Deputy District Attorney Craig Mingay read a letter that she wrote. Aberasturi also received two letters from Van Zant supporters.

Parole and Probation recommended a sentence of two to eight years in prison, and Mingay asked for a sentence of eight to 20 years.

In her letter the victim said the actions of her father scarred her for life, and Mingay said she will have a hard time trusting others since she was not able to do so with her own father.

Mingay said the molestation started when she was 3 years old and continued until she became 18 and moved out of the home. Fearing for her younger sister's safety who still lives at home, the girl notified law enforcement.

The investigation report said Van Zant had moderate levels of sociopath tendencies, including lack of remorse, lying and repeated misbehavior.

“He indicated to the victim that he owned her,” Mingay said. “He has a history of anti-social behavior.”

He said the victim lived in fear her entire life because of her father acts.

Public Defender Paul Drakulich said his client's childhood is nothing short of brutal and insane.

“I have never seen anything as bad as the childhood he was raised in,” Drakulich said. “He never had a chance.”

The investigation into Van Zant showed he is a moderate risk who is amenable to supervision if he undergoes treatment.

“Give Mr. Van Zant a chance,” Drakulich said, asking that an alternative to no prison time is to follow the recommendation from Parole and Probation.“Give him a chance to prove he is amenable,” Drakulich reiterated.

Van Zant said he wants the chance to be a better person and to care for his younger daughter.

Aberasturi said he understands the “cards” that Van Zant was dealt, but the judge said he needs to protect the community.

“I am not going to give you probation,” he said. “You are too much of a risk at this time. I have to look at the risk you are to society. I hope you are able to find your way.”