James Allen. (Washoe County DA's Office)
From the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office:
A jury has returned guilty verdicts on all three counts against James Allen (dob 11/18/73) for abusing his partner. Allen was charged with Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery by Strangulation, and Assault Constituting Domestic Violence with the Use of a Deadly Weapon.
“This conviction delivers justice for a survivor who endured horrific abuse and had the courage to come forward,” said District Attorney Chris Hicks. “Equally important is the compassion and courage shown by the citizen who reported the abuse, reminding us that awareness and action save lives. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are reminded that breaking the silence is often the first step toward safety and justice.”
Last October, officers with the Reno Police Department responded to a report of a battery on a 32-year-old woman by her boyfriend, James Allen. The woman’s work supervisor called police after she showed up to work with a black eye, swollen lips, and limited mobility. The woman also claimed Allen threatened her life. While speaking with RPD, the victim reported the night prior, the defendant hit her in the face and strangled her until she blacked out. She also shared that Allen had placed a gun to her head and dry-fired it, threatening that the next time, it would be loaded.
During the investigation, additional incidents of domestic abuse were uncovered, including the defendant breaking the woman’s arm in three places, prior black eyes, and occasions where Allen would force the victim into their bathtub, make her put her gun in her mouth, and tell her to kill herself. The pair also share a child, whom the defendant would threaten to take away from her.
At trial, Deputy District Attorney Hannah Martinez highlighted the abuse which occurred in October 2024 resulting in the report to RPD. DDA Martinez also focused on past physical abuse between Allen and the victim, and the methods in which abusers exhibit power and control over their victims to cause counterintuitive behaviors, such as remaining in a violent relationship, and reluctance to report abuse.
Sentencing is set for December 17th before the Honorable Egan Walker.
