Mechanicville-Stillwater Little League officials moved quickly to suspend a baseball coach who was arrested Monday on child pornography charges.
State police charged Gary J. Ryan, 36, of 10 Tenandaho Drive, after they said they found images on his computer of underage children who were naked or partially naked and posed in sexually suggestive positions.
Ryan has been involved in the Little League program for more than 20 years, according to the league’s president, Jon Simmons.
“He’s suspended from the league pending the results of the investigation,” Simmons said toay. “We have yet to officially notify him of that status, but a letter is in the works as we speak to get him that information.”
Simmons confirmed that Ryan coached 11- and 12-year-old boys in the league and also supervised the league’s umpires.
“We as a board and a league are doing everything we can to protect the safety of our children, and that is first and foremost on our minds,” Simmons said. “We’re still all stunned. Something like this is never good.”
Ryan was freed on bail late Monday, according to jail officials.
“Gary’s been associated with the league for 20 years, and there was no indication that anything like this could or would occur,” Simmons said. “I was shocked.”
Ryan is also a member of the city Democratic Committee, Mayor Anthony Sylvester said.
“I would assume that he’ll be at least put on suspension,” Sylvester said. “I’m heartbroken that we’re going to lose someone like this.”
Sylvester added that Ryan is also on the city Planning Board and has served as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.
Ryan is charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony. He is due back in City Court next Wednesday.
Categories: -News-
