Firefighter Accused Of Raping Women, Attacking 1 At Temecula Fire Station, Lawsuit Against Cal Fire Claims

TEMECULA, CA — One of three women accusing Temecula firefighter David Renteria III, of rape is suing CAL FIRE and the state of California in civil court, it was announced Tuesday.

Renteria is accused of committing multiple sexual assaults in 2025, including kidnapping and forcible rape, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. A CAL FIRE/Riverside County firefighter, Renteria was rearrested on Friday and faces 12 felony counts of the kidnapping, rape, and assault of three different victims.

According to that civil lawsuit, the unidentified victim was attacked over a 6-hour period starting Nov. 6 until early morning on Nov. 7, 2025. The victim claims she was allegedly lured to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Station 96 on Glen Oaks Road in Temecula, where she was repeatedly raped.

There, she was led to a shed at the back of the station and forcibly assaulted for an extended period of time, the lawsuit states. At one point, she was taken into the station and photographed naked, and in his turnout gear, according to the claim. "When (Jane Doe) said she wanted to go home to her kids, Renteria threatened to harm her children if she did not comply with his demands," according to the suit. The assault lasted for more than six hours before she was ultimately released on Nov. 7, at approximately 5 a.m., the suit alleges.

After escaping Renteria on the morning of Nov. 7, the unidentified victim reported the incident to a retired firefighter friend, who then informed law enforcement, according to the civil claim.

Two months later, the official investigation into Renteria began in January, according to the sheriff's department. At that time, Cal Fire placed him on departmental leave. Ultimately, in April, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department arrested Renteria on numerous felony charges, including sexual assault. He was later freed on bond until Friday's arrest on suspicion of raping an additional victim and attacking another, according to investigators.

CAL FIRE is aware of the allegations and is cooperating with the investigation, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Aron Wolfe.

Attorney David Ring, one of the accuser's attorneys, released a statement.

“This is shocking behavior, particularly from a firefighter on duty – someone who is hired to protect our communities,” said Ring. “Renteria must be held accountable, and CAL FIRE must answer for how this was allowed to happen.”

The claim further asserts that the State of California and CAL FIRE negligently hired, supervised, and retained Renteria as an employee from the time the attack was reported until the Sheriff's Department investigation began.

In April, Cal Fire stated that "Renteria was served with administrative time off paperwork and has not returned to duty since Cal Fire was made aware of the allegations on Jan. 4, 2026."

"Cal Fire demands its employees uphold standards of professional conduct both on- and off-duty," according to an agency statement.

In his statement, the plaintiff's attorney, Neil Gehlawat, alluded to the possibility of other victims.

“The severity and what appear to be deliberate preparations for our client’s horrific assault lead us to believe this is not an isolated incident,” said Gehlawat. "If there are additional victims or witnesses, we encourage them to contact our office so we can ensure these actions are fully investigated and those responsible are held accountable.”

Riverside County Sheriff's Department officials also stated there may be additional victims.

The department encourages anyone with information related to this case, or who believes they may be a victim of sexual assault involving Renteria, to contact Investigator Joe Riddle and ht@riversidesheriff.org. or by calling 951–955–1700 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951–776–1099. Individuals seeking support services may visit our website.