William (Bill) Carns was the former Chair of the Nye County Republican Party. He was arrested on January 31, 2026. He was charged with He faces creating or distributing child sexual abuse material and using the internet to control explicit images of someone under the age of 16. In addition, he had three gun charges, including possessing a sawed-off shotgun, possession of a dangerous weapon, and having a firearm without a serial number.
Carns was released on bail the same day he was arrested. He said he had no idea what evidence there was to charge him and suggested it was a strategy by his ex-wife in a custody battle.
- Pahrump Valley Times: Former Nye County Republican chairman arrested on child pornography, weapons charges
- Pahrump Valley Times: GOP groups offer statements on Carns’ arrest
- Pahrump Valley Times: DA’s office analyzing data in Carns case
Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)
February 5, 2026
