Couple accused of statutory rape

A Nevada couple has been arraigned in Vernon County circuit court on sexual abuse charges involving three alleged child victims.

Tiffany J. Blauvelt, 24, and Aaron R. Blauvelt, 28, appeared before Presiding Judge David Munton July 11 and pleaded not guilty.

Tiffany Blauvelt faces a single count of first-degree child molestation and second-degree statutory rape and two counts of second-degree statutory sodomy. Aaron Blauvelt is charged with two counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and a single count of first-degree child molestation and misdemeanor child molestation.

Initial charges were filed in March following an investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department which involved the interviews of five children at the Nevada Children’s Center. According to a probable-cause affidavit, two of the children told investigators they were sexually abused by the couple and threatened by Aaron Blauvelt not to tell anyone or he would harm other members of their families.

A 10-year-old girl described an incident where the Blauvelts tied her up and molested her sometime between late 2015 and early 2016. A 15-year-old boy told of being handcuffed by the couple and forced to perform a sex act on Aaron Blauvelt. Another time, Tiffany Blauvelt allegedly showed him pornographic videos on her phone preliminary to engaging in sexual intercourse with him.

The charges also encompass a prior Nevada police investigation of Aaron Blauvelt’s alleged molestation of a 15-year-old girl in 2016. At the July 11 hearing, Munton set a case management conference for Aaron Blauvelt on Aug. 11 at 9 a.m.

The separate attorney for Tiffany Blauvelt requested a trial date and a bond reduction to $5,000. Bond was set at $50,000 in cash or surety with trial to begin at 9 a.m. on Oct. 17. A case management conference, in advance of the trial, is set for Sept 19 at 9:30 a.m.