Deputy accused of sexual assault

A Nye County sheriff's deputy was arrested Wednesday and accused of sexually assaulting a female inmate.

Deputy Sheriff Daryal Taylor, 45, is accused of assaulting the woman on Tuesday night while he drove her back to jail from a scheduled medical appointment the previous night, the sheriff's office said.

Taylor was in the Nye County Detention Center on Wednesday afternoon, and authorities were recommending that he be charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of kidnapping and one count of oppression under color of office, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said Taylor used his position to coerce the victim into the sex act.

Taylor's bail is $102,000.

Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said Taylor, who has worked for the department for nearly five years, is suspended with pay while criminal and internal investigations are conducted.

DeMeo said Taylor is a patrol deputy and the inmate was in Taylor's patrol vehicle during the attack.

"We were shocked by it," DeMeo said of the inmate's allegation.

He said police had obtained enough evidence to put Taylor in custody.

"We had probable cause to make an arrest. We're following through with the investigation," DeMeo said.