For Immediate Release
Regional Sex Offender Unit (RSONU) apprehends wanted person in Reno
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office: 775-785-6234
Cell: 775-484-9820
On February 28, 2023, Detectives with the Regional Sex Offender Registration Unit learned that Richard Haygood was living in the downtown Reno area and not in compliance with his registration requirements. On March 2, 2023, Haygood was located and arrested in downtown Reno and charged with violation of Sex Offender Registration laws.
On August 15, 2008, Haygood was arrested in Reno, Nevada for Sexual Assault. Haygood pleaded guilty to the crime on February 8, 2009.
With this conviction, Haygood was classified as a Tier three sex offender by the State of Nevada Sex Offender Registry and is on Lifetime Supervision with the Nevada State Police, Division of Parole and Probation Office.
The RSONU was formed in 1998 to be compliant with federal law passed in 1997. At that time Washoe County, the City of Sparks and the City of Reno all agreed there was a need for coordination in law enforcement in the tracking, monitoring, investigation, public notification, and the arrest and prosecution of non-compliant sex offenders. The Nevada State Police Parole and Probation joined RSONU in 2021. The RSONU operates as a regional, multi-jurisdictional and collaborative entity to carry out the requirements of community notifications as set forth in Chapter 179D of the Nevada Revised Statutes. The RSONU’s jurisdictional boundaries encompass all of Washoe County, including the Cities of Reno and Sparks.
In addition to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office investigator, investigators from RPD and SPD are sworn in as Deputies in partnership with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to carry out the mission of the Unit. The WCSO also provides an Administrative Office Support Specialist to help with clerical functions.
Currently, there are about 1400 registered sex offenders in the Reno, Sparks and Washoe County area. These offenders are monitored by investigators from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and Parole and Probation.
The RSONU is open Monday through Friday, 7:00AM-5:00PM, excluding holidays, and can be reached at 775-325-6483.
Richard Haygood
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.
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