Washoe County Prosecutor Loses Job After Casino Lewdness Arrest

An incident at Reno’s Peppermill Resort Casino led to Kenneth Ching, a deputy district attorney in Washoe County, being fired. Authorities accused him of taking part in sexual activity in a public area.

Washoe County Lawyer Arrested in Connection With Peppermill Exposure Incident

Police documents describe officers responding to the scene at around 1:30 in the morning on August 30. Staff and visitors reported that two people were seen acting close to the valet entrance.

Police records stated that Ching, aged 47, met a woman earlier that evening at Chapel Tavern. They later went to the Peppermill, where Ching suggested booking a room. Investigators learned that the woman refused his suggestion. According to court documents, she spilled a drink on her clothes inside the casino, and Ching went with her to the restroom, where he was accused of touching her, reported the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Casino staff reported seeing what they called “excessive indecent exposure,” which escalated the situation. Witnesses claimed Ching had his pants down while engaging in sexual acts with the woman near a set of valet doors. Police reviewed security videos, which seemed to back these accounts and showed people walking by as the events took place.

Police took both Ching and the woman into custody after she told them the activity was consensual. Reports stated that an initial alcohol test revealed they each had blood alcohol levels exceeding 0.1. Authorities arrested Ching on suspicion of open and gross lewdness but later released him on his recognizance.

When Reno police questioned Ching, he chose not to give a statement. Their report mentioned his zipper was open when they arrived on the scene.

Once Recognized as Nevada’s “Legal Elite,” Prosecutor Fired Over Lewd Conduct Claims

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office announced a few days afterward that Ching was no longer employed. In their statement, the office confirmed his termination and explained the case had been reassigned to the Carson City District Attorney’s Office to prevent any conflict of interest.

Ching will face arraignment on September 9. Nevada law states that those convicted of open or gross lewdness may face up to 364 days in jail, fines as high as $2,000, and mandatory sex offender registration.

Ching, before being dismissed, had established himself as both an academic and a practicing attorney. He had worked as a law professor and had been honored multiple times by Nevada Business Magazine as one of the state’s “Legal Elite.”

The case is still active, and prosecutors highlight that the criminal process will decide Ching’s responsibility in the matter.