PLYMOUTH COUNTY, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) —A long-running investigation led to the arrest of a Le Mars man on multiple child abuse charges Monday.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office arrested 54-year-old Rick Jason Reifenrath on April 20 on three separate warrants. He is charged with Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, a Class B felony, Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, a Class C felony, and Incest, a Class D felony.
Court records show the charges stem from an earlier investigation that began in September 2025. That investigation resulted in a separate criminal case against Reifenrath involving allegations of child endangerment and animal neglect. According to investigators, three children and more than 100 dogs were removed from a northwest Iowa property due to unsafe living conditions.
Reifenrath has pleaded not guilty to those earlier charges, which include four counts of child endangerment — one involving bodily injury — along with numerous animal neglect counts. Those charges are still pending, according to court documents.
Following Monday’s arrest on the new felony charges, Reifenrath was booked into the Plymouth County Jail. He was released the next day after posting a $25,000 bond.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office says it was assisted by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in making the arrest.