Ryerson
WASHINGTONVILLE – A Washingtonville man is charged with threatening the family of a girl under the age of 16 unless she sent him photos of her intimate body parts.
The Orange County Child Abuse Unit charged Timothy Ryerson, 21, with felony use of a child in a sexual performance and misdemeanors of coercion and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police said the two never met, but Ryerson communicated with the victim on the Internet using a fictitious name and photograph. Over the course of a year of their chatting, he gained her friendship and at some point threatened to harm her parents and siblings if she did not sent pictures of her exposing herself. She complied fearing for the safety of her family, but told an adult what had happened. The adult contacted the state Child Abuse Hotline and a two-month investigation began leading to Ryerson’s arrest.
Ryerson was committed to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $60,000 bond.
An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.
