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.
