Woman’s kidnapping, torture brings 33-year prison sentence for Lakeview man

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A Lakeview man, 56-year-old David Gengler, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after entering a no contest plea to charges he bound a woman with whom he lived with duct tape, then beat, raped, and tortured her in May 2016.The change of plea came during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday. Gengler will also be required to register as a sex offender.

The victim was in the courtroom as Gengler was sentenced, with a court bailiff standing, blocking the Lakeview man’s view of the seated woman.

Gengler was initially charged with kidnapping and five counts of first-degree battery. Later in the same month, the more serious charges of rape and aggravated robbery were filed. The latter charges were based on information developed during the investigation the victim had suffered what was described as severe sexual trauma while being held against her will. It was also determined money was missing from several locations in the residence. Gengler was reported to have had a large sum of money in his wallet when he was initially booked into the county jail.

Gengler’s problems with the law began when Baxter County Deputies responded to a residence along Greenwood Avenue in Lakeview May 24th, 2016 and found a badly beaten female victim. Gengler and the then 57-year-old woman shared the residence according to investigative records.

The victim was lying on the floor by the front door of the residence.

Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery said at the time the victim had marks on her wrists and appeared to have been bound for days. She also had numerous other injuries including what were thought to be cigarette burns.

Investigators reported finding blood splattered on the walls of the residence and a large amount of duct tape with hair stuck to it on the bathroom floor. A knife and bloody cigarette butt were also found and taken into evidence.

The victim was able to make a 911 call requesting assistance. According to the sheriff’s office’s incident report, the victim asked for an ambulance but was initially hesitant to say why one was needed. She eventually told the 911 dispatcher, “he will kill me.” Gengler, who was at the residence, told investigators the victim was bipolar and “falls all the time.” He initially denied inflicting the injuries, holding the woman against her will or having forced sexual relations with her.

Deputies had been to the home in response to an earlier domestic disturbance call on May 19th of 2016. The victim told deputies on that occasion she and Gengler had been in a heated argument over his “drinking habits.” She said Gengler had shoved her during the argument. Gengler said the disagreement had arisen over the victim’s gambling, and he denied having any physical contact with her during the confrontation.

During an interview with the victim at a Springfield hospital following the second and more serious incident, she told investigators she had been bound for two-or-three days. She said Gengler taped her in an upright position and punched, beat and kicked her. The victim said Gengler also choked her and burned her with cigarettes. According to the victim, her relationship with Gengler began when he moved into her residence in October 2015 to work as a handyman.

Gengler underwent psychological examinations and was found fit to proceed in his cases.

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