Ryan Howard

> "Am I going to jail?"
>
> - Ryan still not comprehending the weight of his situation

Ryan's U.P. mugshot

**Ryan Scott Howard** is a potential predator that was caught in the **Marquette County, Upper Peninsula, Michigan** sting on *Takedown with Chris Hansen*. Ryan is best known for his bizarre baseball cap fetish and for telling the decoy he wanted to "bounce" on his genitals, something Chris Hansen repeatedly grilled Ryan over during his interview. He is also infamous for showing up in short shorts and flip flops.

## Chat

26-year-old Ryan engaged in an online conversation with a police decoy posing as a 15-year-old boy on a social media app. The chat started out innocent enough until Ryan quickly made it clear that he was interested in hooking up. He spoke in detail about how he enjoyed oral sex, making out, cuddling and was open to try anything. He also revealed he had a specific kink for men wearing baseball hats because it turned him on. He sent several pornographic photographs that were unable to be shown on *Takedown*. When the decoy said he was younger, Ryan replied that he was "open" to the idea. Although he seemed hesitant to do underage, he told the decoy that he would make an exception because he thought he was "hot as hell." with that, the two scheduled a meeting and Ryan left his home to reach the sting house.

## Chris Hansen confrontation

Ryan arrived at the sting house and was greeted by a male adult decoy instead of an actual child. Wearing nothing but a jumper, cap, short shorts and flip flops, Ryan quickly made himself comfortable, removing his flip flops and casually making his way over to the couch. The decoy offered him pizza, to which Ryan replied that he didn't want any. He brought out a bottle of lubricant and took a seat. The decoy asked him if he was excited and Ryan said he was before sitting down and crossing his legs like he was in *Sunset Boulevard*. The decoy asked Ryan if he vaped and he said that he didn't. The decoy once again offered him some pizza before going upstairs using the vape excuse.

Shortly afterwards, Chris Hansen entered the living room and politely greeted Ryan before taking a seat on the couch next to him. Ryan immediately stated he wasn't going to do anything. He told Hansen his age when asked before saying he "really [didn't] know" what his plan was. He admitted that he felt nervous talking to someone so young when asked. He then denied wanting to do anything, saying he only came over to talk and apologising. Hansen reminded Ryan that he talked about "bouncing on [the decoy's] cock", which causes a distressed Ryan to become even more humiliated by his actions. Hansen questioned why a grown man would bring Astroglide gel to meet a 15-year-old boy, to which Ryan admitted he knew. Ryan again denied intent on having sex with the child before using the excuse that he brought the lubricant so that the boy could masturbate himself. Upon Hansen inquiring as to what Ryan would be doing during the act, mockingly saying "eat pizza?" it instantly became clear to Ryan that what he said didn't make any sense. Hansen grilled Ryan for repeatedly saying "I don't know" when asked questions. Ryan then made the bold claim that he didn't know the boy was 15, which Hansen immediately dismissed by reminding Ryan that he spoke to the decoy about it directly. Ryan asked to know what was happening, with Hansen reminding Ryan that he was there to meet a child for sex.

Ryan refused to tell Hansen where he worked after being asked, begging Hansen not to find out himself. Ryan said he didn't want to lose his job and apologised again. He explained he worked with people's credit cards via the phone, normally to make sure there was no fraud or other irregularities in their account balances. He denied ever being in trouble with the law and meeting people for sex off of the internet. He admitted it was difficult to believe and that he wouldn't believe himself if he was in Hansen's position. Hansen reminded Ryan that the 11-year age gap was not even a close call. Ryan revealed he lived in Negaunee with his parents when asked, admitting he'd be in "deep shit" if they ever found out. He admitted there "might" be condoms in his car but none on his person. He said he understood why it was wrong and, when asked what he thought should happen to him, attempted to ask what "the fee" was before spotting one of the cameramen hiding behind a corner. Chris then revealed who he was and that Ryan had walked into a sting. Ryan revealed that he had previously seen Hansen's predator investigations. Apparently completely forgetting he showed up with the intent to commit statutory rape, Ryan asked "why" and if he was in deep trouble, as well as if he was going to be charged. Before surrendering to the police, Ryan declared that he knew he did something wrong, he didn't want to lose his job, that he was sorry and that he never should've come to the sting house.

Ryan said he "wasn't thinking clear" when asked by Hansen what was going through his mind before sticking to his excuse of talking to and getting to know the decoy. He revealed he was an only child before finally admitting he had previously hooked up with people his own age. Hansen reiterated that the law was broken when he attempted to hook up with someone underage. Ryan admitted he had second thoughts but didn't offer an explanation as to why he did it, simply saying that "[he] shouldn't have." He once again denied wanting to have sex with the child before being reminded that he said he'd "bounce on his cock." He admitted the chat was authentic but reiterated he might not have been able to go through with it. Hansen dismissed this by reminding Ryan that he seemed very comfortable as soon as he took a seat and waited for the decoy to grab his vape. Ryan admitted he had second thoughts during the 20-minute drive but didn't understand why he did. He said he'd be willing to admit to his crimes and take the punishment as long as he didn't lose his job. Ryan's advice to other potential sex predators was to verify who they were talking to and not take advantage of minors for sex because it was wrong. He then declared he would remove himself from the site and would focus on people his own age. After talking to Hansen a little longer about his college education and reflecting further on how he "did not think," Ryan was taken into custody. Hilariously, Ryan asked the deputies handcuffing him if he was going to jail, to which they confirmed he was.

## Aftermath

Ryan was charged with four felonies: Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, Child Sexually Abusive Commercial Activity, and two counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. His mother posted bail and he was released on a personal recognizance bond awaiting his day in court.