Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

RSONU detectives arrest, charge sex offenders for non-compliance
Please note: This is a regional press release

Two convicted sex offenders are in custody at the Washoe County Detention Facility after detectives with the Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit (RSONU) located them separately in Reno.

Frank Leyva, 68, is charged with one felony count of failing to check in with a local law enforcement agency, and one felony count of failing his annual verification.  Leyva had been out of compliance for more than a year, and his whereabouts were unknown. RSONU detectives located and arrested Leyva on August 10, 2021. Leyva is a Tier III sex offender previously convicted in Pyramid Lake Tribal Court of crimes against children.

RSONU detectives worked in conjunction with the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Parole and Probation to arrest Paul Rentz, 38. Parole and Probation officers located Rentz for a probation violation on August 3, 2021. RSONU detectives completed a separate investigation and determined Rentz was not living at his registered address. RSONU add-booked Rentz on August 10, 2021 on one felony count for failing to update his address. Rentz is a Tier II sex offender previously convicted in Siskiyou County, California.

The RSONU was formed in 1998 to be in compliance with federal law passed in 1997.  At that time Washoe County, the City of Sparks and the City of Reno all agreed there was a need for coordination in law enforcement in the tracking, monitoring, investigation, public notification, and the arrest and prosecution of non-compliant sex offenders.  The RSONU operates as a regional, multi-jurisdictional and collaborative entity to carry out the requirements of community notifications as set forth in Chapter 179D of the Nevada Revised Statutes.  The RSONU’s jurisdictional boundaries encompass all of Washoe County, including the Cities of Reno and Sparks.

Currently, there are about 1400 registered sex offenders in the Reno, Sparks and Washoe County area.  Each of the three investigators are assigned over 400 offenders to monitor.

The RSONU is open Monday through Friday, 7am to 5pm, excluding holidays, and can be reached at 775-325-6483.

Photo 1: Frank Leyva
Photo 2: Paul Rentz

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

###