A youth pastor has been arrested in Arapahoe County, after he turned himself into authorities.
Donald Richard Ryan, 33, walked into the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday and said he’d been sexually involved with a 16-year-old girl.
Ryan is a high school pastor with the Greenwood Community Church on E. Belleview Ave.
Authorities say he told them he’d been counseling the girl for the past 2- 1/2 years. He said that inappropriate text messages and e-mails were exchanged, which ultimately led to sexual contact.
“We are very saddened by the revelations and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, the victim’s family, as well as all others concerned,” said Greenwood Community Church spokesman Bob Greene, in a statement released by Greenwood Community Church.
Ryan faces charges of sexual assault assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, which could mean up to 12 years in prison.
His bond was set at $50,000.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who may have information about inappropriate activity by Ryan to call officers at 303-795-4711.
