Third arrest, new sexual abuse charges filed in Plymouth County child endangerment, animal neglect case
A Le Mars man currently accused of over two dozen counts of child endangerment, animal neglect, and sexual abuse has been arrested and charged for the third time since January.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office says 54-year-old Rick Reifenrath was taken into custody again last Friday, and is now facing ten total counts of incest, a Class D felony, as well as one count each of sexual abuse in the 2nd degree, a Class B felony, continuous sexual abuse of a child, a Class B felony, sexual abuse in the 3rd degree, a Class C felony and lascivious acts with a child, a Class C felony, and two counts of indecent contact with a child, an aggravated misdemeanor. His arraignment date is set for next Monday, June 15th at 9:30am.
This is the latest development in an ongoing, months-long investigation into the care of both Reifenrath’s children and numerous dogs, with the alleged sexual abuse having taken place between November of 2021 and July of 2025. Last September, three children and over a hundred dogs were removed from a property in rural Plymouth County by authorities, with court documents alleging Reifenrath failed to provide basic nutrition, water, sanitary conditions, and ventilated shelter to at least 20 dogs.
Reifenrath was initially taken into custody in January during a traffic stop and was charged with three counts of child endangerment, one count of child endangerment with injury, 19 counts of animal neglect, and one count of animal neglect with injury. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in March, with his trial in that case continued until September. Reifenrath is currently free after posting $80,000 bond on Tuesday.
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Le Mars Municipal Band to play music “From Far Away Lands”
The Le Mars Municipal Band kicked off their summer concert series last night, and will continue next Wednesday, June 17th with a musical journey around the world during its upcoming concert, titled “From Far Away Lands.”
Under the direction of newly appointed Music Director Dr. Christopher Brandt, the concert will feature music inspired by cultures, traditions, landscapes, and folk melodies from across the globe, ranging from the British Isles and continental Europe to Japan, Spain, and Latin America. The concert will open with British Eighth March by H. Elliot, and continues on with pieces such as Fandango by Frank Perkins, Tarantella by Alfred Reed, and Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song by Samuel Hazo. Music from Disney’s Encanto will conclude the concert.
In a press release, Brandt stated that “one of the joys of music is its ability to transport us to places we may never have visited,” and that the concert will allow “audiences to experience the sounds, traditions, and stories of cultures from around the world without ever leaving Foster Park.”
The Le Mars Municipal Band’s performance of “From Far Away Lands” will begin at 7:30pm on Wednesday, June 17th, at Foster Park. Admission is free.
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Defenders of Sioux City homeless shelter rally outside City Hall
A demonstration was held in Sioux City Monday in support of the city’s only low-barrier homeless shelter, after councilmember Rick Bertrand reportedly called the shelter a “public nuisance” among other criticisms. Shayla Moore is executive director of the Warming Shelter, and says the downtown facility is an asset.
Moore says it’s untrue to call the vital facility a nuisance.
After the rally, many people attended Monday’s city council meeting to express their concern for the shelter. Another council member says she thinks the shelter has outgrown its downtown location.
(Story via Radio Iowa / Iowa Public Radio)
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