Convicted Rapist Fails to Show at Sentencing Hearing

RENO — A man facing life in prison after admitting he raped two women he met on the Internet became the subject of a manhunt Friday when he skipped bail and failed to appear at his sentencing hearing.

One of his victims, who was in the Washoe County courtroom to testify at the hearing, broke into tears at the news.

Identified only as Jennifer W., she earlier filed a lawsuit against the Sparks, Nev., Police Department accusing officials of ignoring her initial complaints and calling her a liar.

Washoe County District Judge Janet Berry ordered Timothy Joe Mobly’s $20,000 bond forfeited and issued a new $5-million bench warrant for his arrest. The judge told local authorities to notify the FBI and Interpol.

Mobly, 25, and an accomplice, Aaron Matthew Cross, earlier pleaded guilty to the Jan. 2 sexual assault of the second victim, a 17-year-old.

Cross, also 25, was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life terms in prison. He will be eligible for parole after 20 years.

Mobly alone pleaded guilty to the November sexual assault of Jennifer W.

On Friday, Jennifer W.’s attorney, Marc Picker, said his client is in shock.

“She’s very upset. She broke down,” he said. “The major player is still out there, and she is scared to death. Mr. Mobly is terrifying her even further.”

Jennifer W. has sued the Sparks Police Department, three detectives and Chief John Dotson for more than $900,000, saying that she was humiliated and accused of lying when she tried to report the rape in November. She claims that police did nothing about her complaints until the 17-year-old girl was assaulted by Mobly and Cross two months later.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Dan Greco said the women were lured through exchanges on the Internet in which the men gained their trust.