By Ricardo Roura
A Hispanic firefighter-paramedic was charged this Wednesday of sexually assaulting three women while on duty in Riverside County.
David Renteria III, 51, a member of Cal Fire Riversideappeared this Wednesday at the Southwest Justice Center, in Murrieta, for a charging hearing.
According to Riverside County prosecutors, Renteria faces multiple felony chargesincluding kidnapping to commit a sexual crime, as well as other charges of aggravated rape.
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Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Detectives The Hispanic firefighter was arrested last month at his home in Placentia after launching an investigation in January of this year.
According to prosecutors, Cal Fire Riverside firefighter-paramedic sexually assaulted three different women.
The lawyer representing one of the alleged victims said that Renteria met the woman online before allegedly luring her to Cal Fire Station 96 in Temecula while he was on duty in November 2025.
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According to the lawyer, the woman said that Renteria took her to a shed behind the fire station, he suddenly abused her and held her against her will.
When she told him that she wanted to return home to her children, Rentería allegedly threatened to harm her if he did not agree to their demands.
The lawyer said that the woman managed to escape the Rentería siege and reported the incident to the authoritiess.
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During Wednesday’s hearing, Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Sarah Crowley said the prosecution also alleges that The Hispanic firefighter tied and gagged one of the victims during one of the sexual assaults.
“An additional allegation regarding one of the victims is that he tied her up and gagged her while he raped her“Crowley declared in court.
The judge determined to postpone Rentería’s appearance until June because his attorney was not available this Wednesday.
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The Riverside County prosecutor’s office said that, for the charges against him, Renteria could face a sentence of life in prison under California’s “One Strike” sentencing law.
“Under California law that allows for early sentencing, because of these accusations and these specific chargeshe would face life in prison,” Crowley reiterated.
The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office said the case of Rentería and his alleged sexual assaults remains under investigation.
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