LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A 73-year-old former volunteer coach at Palo Verde High School will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child under 14 years old.
Michael Atwell was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years on Friday by Clark County District Court Judge Eric Johnson. The sentencing followed Atwell's guilty plea in August to charges of lewdness and sexual assault of a child under 14.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Atwell in November 2024 after receiving a report of sexual assault.
As part of his sentencing agreement, Atwell must pay approximately $7,700 in restitution to the victim and a victim's crime fund. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
The Clark County School District fired Atwell following his arrest. At the time, Palo Verde principal Lisa Schumacher said Atwell's charges were not related to his role at the school.
-
Man arrested by Henderson police after video shows cat being thrown at a wall
Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Angel Ventura Ayala. He was arrested on Dec. 18, 2025, on a charge of torture, maiming or killing an animal to threaten or terrorize.
Driver accused of deadly 12-car crash pleads not guilty to murder charges
Jose Gutierrez is accused of intentionally driving his silver Infiniti into a group of cars stopped at a stoplight at Cheyenne and Jones on Nov. 18.
Police: Deputy constable attacked with machete while serving eviction notice
The incident happened around 9 a.m. in the 6600 block of Sandhill Road, near Sunset and Green Valley Parkway, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
One person dead in LVMPD's first officer-involved shooting of 2026
It happened around 7:30 a.m. as officers responded to the 9200 block of Russell Road to a call of someone pointing a gun at another person.
