(04/08/08 - Initial BBT Report)
Ryan Christopher Wilborn, 22, a volunteer band coach at Palm Harbor University High School in Palm Harbor, Florida has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with two 15-year-old female students.
It is alleged that Wilborn engaged in the sexual activity with the two band members between September and December of last year with the encounters occurring in one of the victim’s homes, on the campus of the school and in a parking lot.
Wilborn came to the attention of authorities when the parents of one of the alleged victims went to police.
Allegedly Wilborn admitted his actions when he was confronted by detectives. He was arrested Monday night on one count each of lewd and lascivious molestation, and lewd and lascivious battery.
Wilborn was subsequently released on $20,000 bond on Tuesday morning.
Investigators suspect that there may be additional victims and are requesting anyone with information contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-6200.
08/19/08 - Ryan Wilborn Arrested Again
On Monday, Ryan Wilborn was arrested on allegations of using the Internet to solicit minors for sex.
Pinellas County detectives received a tip in July in which it was alleged that Wilborn was communicating with minors on the Internet.
An undercover detective, posing as a 16-year-old female, went online and began chatting with Wilborn. It is alleged that Wilborn engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the “girl”.
It is alleged that a meeting was set up between the “girl” and Wilborn for the purpose of Wilborn having sex with her. When he arrived at the meeting place he was arrested.
Following his arrest, Wilborn was being held in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Webmaster’s Opinion:
Owing to the nature of the original offenses with which Ryan Wilborn was charged, freeing him on $20,000 bond after his first arrest seemed overly optimistic. Well actually in hindsight it appears absurd.
Now that Wilbon has been arrested again it appears that he is getting the “half-price deal” on his second bail, at only $10,000.
While bail is NOT to be used as a punitive measure, judges should consider the RISK the accused presents to society when considering what constitutes reasonable bail amounts.
Granted Wilborn has not skipped bail on the original charges, but he certainly appears to be presenting a grave risk to minors while free on bail.
Apparently, the risk presented by those accused of serious crimes against minors in Pinellas County, Florida is simply not that big a concern for the judges of Pinellas County. If it were, bail for Ryan Wilborn would be no less than $100,000 and preferably no less than $1 million.
Evidently Ryan Wilborn has some kind of “get out of jail cheap card”…
References:
Man Accused Of Soliciting Teens Was Arrested Before (08/19/08)
Deputies: Band coach arrested for sex with students (04/08/08)
Pinellas band coach faces student sex charges (04/08/08)
Volunteer band coach accused of sex with students (04/08/08)
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