UPDATE at 7:35 p.m., June 10, 2025: Court records indicate that Renno posted $100,000 surety bond late Monday.

A Benton County officeholder was arrested Monday, June 9, accused by the Missouri State Highway Patrol of enticing minors.

The Patrol announced the arrest Monday of 62-year-old Richard Renno, the Benton County Treasurer. Renno is accused of attempting to entice a child under 15 years of age and sexual misconduct. According to their probable cause statement, the Patrol received a report in August alleging that Renno that been using an online dating app to contact a 14-year-old. In April, the Patrol interviewed witnesses who provided screenshots of Renno’s account, including an illicit photograph allegedly taken by Renno at his residence in Lincoln. Troopers questioned Renno on Monday morning, and say that Renno admitted to maintaining an account on the app for ten years, as well as conversing with at least two minors through the app.  Renno was arrested Monday and formally charged in Benton County.

Renno ran unopposed for Benton County Treasurer in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Because of his status as an elected official, St Clair County prosecutor Daniel Dysart has been appointed as the state’s prosecutor for the case. Additionally, a judge from another circuit will need to be assigned to hear the case after a Benton County judge recused himself during an initial hearing Monday afternoon.