Rape, kidnapping suspect held without bail on Nevada charge

Kim Smith

Friday, May 11, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

William A. Beith, 28, was ordered held without bail on a state kidnapping charge in an appearance this morning before Justice of the Peace Marley Robinson.

A May 31 preliminary hearing date has been scheduled for the Indiana principal accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.

Robinson also ordered $15,000 bail for a sexual assault count and $10,000 bail for a lewdness with a minor charge.

Beith also faces a federal charge of transportation of a minor across state lines for the purpose of sexual activity.

The sixth-grader from Gary, Ind., had been reported missing May 1 after an argument with her parents at a discount store. An employee told police she was crying and seen running through the parking lot. Her parents think she might have telephoned Beith, former principal of her school, Liberty Baptist Academy in Lake Station, Ind.

The pair were spotted by a Metro Police officer Tuesday and taken into custody. According to authorities, they spent one night in a Super 8 motel and had rented a room at a Budget Suites shortly before Beith's arrest.

Clark County officials had scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to decide if the girl should be allowed to fly home to her parents.

The hearing, in Clark County Family Court, was scheduled when the girl alleged she had been molested by at least two family members.

The girl's parents arrived in Las Vegas Thursday night and that hearing was scheduled to be heard at 2:30 p.m. today behind closed doors.

As far as the criminal case, Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said a conference call will be held Tuesday between his office and federal prosecutors in Las Vegas and Indiana.

There has been some discussion about wrapping up Nevada's state charges and the federal Indiana charges with any charges that may be filed by other states, Herndon said.

The problem is that if that is done, Nevada may be precluded from later pursuing Beith because of the double jeopardy law, Herndon said.

"I think it's important that we pursue the sex charges here because I doubt any other state is in as good as position as we are," Herndon said.

Metro officers caught the pair here, they know where they were staying and when and they have forensic evidence they can use against Beith, Herndon said. The girl may not be able to provide investigators in other states crucial details about when and where alleged sexual activities took place because they crossed so many states.

In addition, the federal charge under which Beith has been charged only carries a 15-year maximum sentence whereas each of the state charges he faces have a potential life sentence, Herndon said.

Beith will appear in Las Vegas Justice Court again May 18 to confirm that Las Vegas attorney Michael Cristalli will take his case. Cristalli met with Beith briefly in court this morning.