GREENFIELD, Ohio — Law enforcement took down a suspected child predator this week in Greenfield, who is an EMT, firefighter, and former police officer.
A 17-year-old allegedly received messages of a sexual nature from a man named Ryan Coleman on Snapchat, who went to their school resource officer.
Law enforcement in Highland County began their investigation after the 17-year-old and their parents spoke with law enforcement regarding the messages. Detectives say that Coleman allegedly requested sexual acts in exchange for marijuana.
“I retrieved photographs on a cellphone of the Snapchat conversation….I reviewed contents of the conversation in which Ryan Coleman offered to perform oral sex on juvenile (name redacted). Coleman further offered to provide marijuana at the time the juvenile met with Coleman,” said the Detective in his report.
Police initiated a sting operation to catch Coleman in the act. The father of the juvenile was instructed to respond back to Coleman, and to set up a meeting. Coleman reportedly sent the juvenile a video “depicting marijuana, vape and edibles.”
Detectives began watching Coleman’s house located at 237 McClain Avenue. The man reportedly agreed to meet with the juvenile at Mitchell Park in Greenfield. Detectives say they witnessed Coleman leave his residence driving his 2022 white Dodge Challenger. Officers followed Coleman to South 7th Street, just north of Mitchell Park. That’s when patrol units initiated a traffic stop and took Coleman into custody. Two marijuana cigarettes were located by police in the car, which matched ones he had sent photos of on Snapchat during the sting.
Agent with the Highland County Task Force and officers with the Greenfield Police Department served a search warrant on Coleman’s residence. Law enforcement personnel stated that an “abundance of drug paraphernalia” as well as a “surplus of marijuana infused edibles” were found. Additional marijuana was found at the residence along with hidden cameras in his bedroom and various medications.
Coleman was charged with compelling prostitution. Additional charges, officials said, will be forthcoming for the marijuana, edibles, and paraphernalia.
Records show that this is not Coleman’s first run-in with authorities. Last year, Coleman’s residence was raided by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations. That case is still pending. Coleman is also an EMT, former firefighter, and auxiliary police officer.
He remains in custody at the Highland County Jail on an $80,000 bond.