Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 41-year-old man from Zephyrhills, identified as Christopher F. Reteneller, faces seven felony charges following allegations of engaging in sexual encounters with a 16-year-old girl from Gainesville on several occasions.
According to reports, the young girl came forward on April 7, revealing that Reteneller made trips from Zephyrhills to Gainesville on March 29 and April 7, during which he allegedly had sexual relations with her.
The girl stated that their initial interaction began on a chat website, which led to exchanging phone numbers and subsequent text messaging. Allegedly, on March 29, Reteneller drove to Gainesville, met the girl at a bus stop close to her residence, took her to a McDonald’s where he bought her food, and then they went to his car. After kissing her, they reportedly drove to an unidentified church, where the alleged sexual encounter took place in the parking lot.
Again on April 7, Reteneller is said to have traveled to Gainesville, picked up the girl near her home, and taken her to a church where another alleged sexual encounter occurred.
Following this, Reteneller reportedly purchased a sandwich for the girl at Popeyes, and they visited Depot Park, walking along the trail. They later proceeded to TB McPherson, where Reteneller allegedly attempted another sexual act in a bathroom, which reportedly caused the girl discomfort.
The victim said she asked him to stop, but he continued, and she tried multiple times to leave the bathroom, but he kept pulling her back; she eventually escaped and told Reteneller that she was 16 because she was upset that he had not stopped. The Gainesville Police Department officer who investigated the case noted that the victim looks younger than 16, “and any reasonable person would not believe that she was over the age of 18.” The victim said that when she told Reteneller her age, he said they would need to keep their relationship on the “down low.”
Reteneller allegedly drove the victim to an apartment complex near her house, which she was able to describe to the officer, and he again tried to have sexual intercourse with her. Next, he reportedly drove her to a gas station, where they got into the back seat of his car; he allegedly raped her while she repeatedly asked him to stop and tried to push him away, but he said he just wanted to finish.
After Reteneller drove the victim home, he reportedly sent her a text and told her he was sorry.
A medical exam reportedly showed that the victim had significant injuries that are consistent with sexual abuse.
The officer used Reteneller’s phone number and description to identify him, and traffic cameras reportedly showed that his vehicle was in the locations described by the victim at the time of the incidents; the officer noted that Reteneller has no ties to Gainesville, and his vehicle has not been seen on local traffic cameras except for those two dates.
Reteneller has been charged with four counts of sexual battery with a victim under 18, two counts of traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual contact, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device. He is being held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
