Detectives from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office have charged Ryan Dunn, a 29-year-old employee of the RAP House youth shelter in New Port Richey, with three counts of sexual battery on a minor. The charges stem from incidents involving a 15-year-old girl staying at the shelter, which houses runaway and at-risk youth aged 10 to 17.
According to investigators, the victim reported that Dunn befriended her when she arrived at the RAP House in June. On December 12, Dunn allegedly picked her up before school and took her to the Quality Inn in Brooksville, Hernando County, where he attempted to engage in sexual activity. The next day, he repeated the pattern, driving the victim to the same hotel, where she reported they engaged in sexual intercourse.
On December 16, Dunn again picked up the victim before school, taking her to a Walmart parking lot in Port Richey, where she said they engaged in sexual activity in the backseat of his vehicle. Dunn reportedly dropped the victim off near her school after learning she had been reported missing by RAP House staff. Law enforcement later located the victim walking near the school.
Dunn initially denied any sexual conduct but admitted to picking the victim up from school on multiple occasions. On December 19, during an interview with detectives, Dunn confessed to the allegations.
He was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. Dunn is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center on a $45,000 bond.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about this case to contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or **TIPS from a cell phone. Tips can also be submitted online at hernandocountycrimestoppers.com, with eligibility for a reward of up to $5,000 for anonymous tips.
