By Amanda Lillie, staff writer

AUSTIN — A Stewartville man who allegedly sold his power to cure people by using laser beams from satellites pleaded not guilty to three charges Thursday in Mower County Court.

Ronald Charles Renken, 66, faces three counts of felony theft by swindle in the case.

According to the court complaint, Renken allegedly talked two people into believing one of them, who is diabetic, could be cured of his illnesses through a satellite using laser beams that would go through his body.

Renken allegedly told the couple he works with doctors in Germany who use the beams to eliminate toxins in the body and bring polarities of energy channels back in line. He also claimed radio frequencies would bounce off the diabetic man’s body and be sent back to the doctors in Germany who would adjust the frequencies to heal him.

The court complaint states Renken called the couple on March 2 and said he had spoken to the doctor in Germany who said the man had been cured of his diabetes and other illnesses.

Renken allegedly told the man he could stop taking his medications, especially the ones for diabetes, since he had been cured. The couple told police Renken then used the beams to scan the woman for illnesses and found she had “cancer all over her body” and several blocked arteries that would cause a heart attack if not taken care of immediately.

Since the couple had paid Renken $2,316 for the man’s treatment, Renken offered to cure the woman for a discounted price of $1,175. The court complaint states the couple did not pay Renken the $1,175.

The couple apparently became suspicious when they told their daughter the man was cured of diabetes and their daughter said she had never heard of satellites in outer space using lasers to cure people.

According to court documents, the couple paid Renken $4,150 in February 2010 because he said a beam could be sent from a satellite to their water well to eliminate lead and iron from the water.

Renken could receive up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine on the first count of theft by swindle. The other two counts allow for up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

He is scheduled for a jury trial on June 20.