West Plains man charged with enticement of a minor

Brandon Rinne, 32, of West Plains, faces one charge of enticement of a child less than 15 years of age and one charge of furnishing pornographic material to a minor. Charges issued on August 24 after a minor male victim approached police in July with allegations that Rinne had repeatedly sent explicit photos and messages to him via social media. 

Court documents allege the child disclosed his age, but that Rinne persisted in sending suggestive and propositioning messages. A probable cause statement signed by Lieutenant Torey Thompson says Rinne suggested an in-person meeting with the child.

In an interview with police, Rinne admitted sending explicit photos to the child and to suggesting a meeting with him, disclosing specific details of the conversations, including that he was aware of the victim’s age.

His defense was that his communication was “a cruel joke to get back to the victim’s cousin.”

Court documents describe Rinne as a danger to the community because it is the second time he has been accused of a sex crime with a minor. 

“Empirical evidence suggests persons with the propensity to commit these types of crimes have a high probability to re-offend. Thus, I believe Rinne is a danger to commit sex offense involving minors within the community,” reads Lt. Thompson’s statement. 

A grand jury indicted Rinne on August 30. On September 5, the defendant pled not guilty. He requested a change of judge on September 8. 

The accused remains in custody on a $25,000 bond.