Sex Offender in Brevard County Arrested After Molesting Child in Melbourne
By Space Coast Daily // October 11, 2023
Douglas Ryan, 33, arrested for Lewd/Lascivious Molestation upon a child
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Melbourne Police have made an arrest in the case of a 10-year-old child that was allegedly molested on September 26.
Police say the investigation began on September 27, 2023, when officers with the Melbourne Police Department responded to 571 Footbridge Drive, in Melbourne regarding a complaint that a 10-year-old child had been molested the previous day.
Detectives assigned to MPD’s Major Crimes Unit, which investigates homicides and sexual crimes including crimes against children subsequently assumed the investigation.
“Detectives worked quickly with partners at the Florida Department of Children & Families/Child Advocacy Center, and ultimately were able to develop probable cause for the arrest of 33-year-old Douglas Ryan for one count of ‘Lewd or Lascivious Molestation’ upon a child younger than 12-years – punishable by life imprisonment,” said Melbourne Police in a released statement.
During the course of their investigation, detectives learned that Ryan had fled the area to a location in Palm Beach County.
Prior to this incident, Douglas Ryan had been classified as a Sexual Offender pursuant to his guilty plea to ‘Lewd or Lascivious Battery’ upon a child older than 12-years but younger than 16-years, here in Brevard County in 2010.
Douglas Ryan was sentenced to Probation as a result of his guilty plea, which arrest records indicate he allegedly violated no less than seven times between the years of 2011-2022, between Brevard, Palm Beach, and Escambia Counties.
After obtaining an arrest warrant, detectives immediately worked to coordinate with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the speedy arrest of Douglas Ryan in their jurisdiction on October 10.
Ryan is currently being held in the PBSO County Jail without bond, pending extradition back to Brevard County on Wednesday.
