Active military member arrested for sodomy and sexual assault of a woman

Waynesville, MO – Gareth Antonio Rentas-Ponce, an active duty soldier from Waynesville, was arrested and charged in the investigation of a sexual assault that occurred in June 2024. He is charged with second-degree sodomy, second-degree sexual abuse, and second-degree sexual assault.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department investigator was told by a victim that she was raped and sexually assaulted on June 28, 2024. The victim stated that she was notified through a friend request on Facebook. The man, identified as Gareth Antonio Rentas-Ponce, had told the victim that he was offering free massages because he was looking for feedback while attending WellSpring School of Allied Health to become a licensed massage therapist. Then, a few days later, she received a reminder asking for a tip and providing the address for the free massages. These massage appointments would take place on the lower level of the residence and the room was described as dark.

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During an interview, the victim stated that she had been to the apartment twice. She stated that the first visit went well, but the second was different. During that visit, she was sexually assaulted. The victim said that she closed her eyes and remained silent because she was afraid that she would be hurt since he was in the military and his fiancée was upstairs. Police noted that the victim said she did not consent to any sexual contact during her stay.

Rentas-Ponce is currently being held on $100,000 bail, is being monitored by GPS, and is prohibited from having contact with the victim or leaving Pulaski County without court approval.

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