Waynesville, MO. – Gareth Antonio Rentas-Ponce, an active military member from Waynesville, has been arrested and charged following an investigation of a sexual assault that occurred in June 2024. He has been charged with one count of 2nd-degree sodomy, one count of 2nd-degree sexual abuse, and one count of 2nd-degree sexual misconduct.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a detective from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department was told by a victim that she was raped and sexually assaulted on June 28, 2024. The victim stated that she was notified through Facebook of a friend request. The individual identified as Gareth Antonio Rentas-Ponce, had told that victim he was providing free massages because he was looking for feedback while he was attending school at WellSpring School of Allied Health to become a licensed massage therapist. She then received a reminder a couple of days later which asked for tips and provided the address for the free massages. These massage appointments would occur on the lower level of the residence and the room was described as dark.
During an interview, the victim stated that she had gone to the residence twice. She stated that the first visit went well but the second visit had been different. During that visit sexually assaulted her. The victim said that she had closed her eyes and was silent because she was afraid that she would be hurt due to him being in the military and his fiance was upstairs. Police noted that the victim said she did not give consent to any sexual contact while she was there.
Rentas-Ponce is currently being held on a $100,000 bond, is under GPS monitoring, and is prohibited from contacting the victim or leaving Pulaski County without permission from the court.
