Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Director of Oregon health care group arrested for sexual assault of dog

Director of Oregon health care group arrested for sexual assault of dog


John Williams Ryan
Yamhillmugshots.com

The executive director of a Bend, Oregon health care organization was arrested on Monday on suspicion of sexual abuse in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, and sexual assault of a dog.
The Bend Bulletin reported today that John Williams Ryan, 47, was arrested after police investigated a co-defendant, Casie Lynn Nelson, 29, who was arrested on Tuesday. According to investigators, the catalyst behind the arrests was the couple's (still unspecified) illegal computer activity.
Oregon State is particularly strong in its animal welfare laws. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Oregon ranked #2 for cracking down on animal abuse in 2013.
In 2014, Oregon's Supreme Court ruled that nonhuman animals can be victims - just like humans can. The landmark ruling, which afforded animals the same basic protection as humans, should enable authorities to help animals in need without obtaining a warrant.
Under Oregon State Law 167.333, sexual assault of an animal is a Class A misdemeanor.
Ryan was placed on leave from his position after his arrest by McMinnville Police detectives. RyanThe organization that Ryan directed, which is comprised of 600 providers and physicians, is currently being helmed by interim executive director Stephen Mann, who stated simply:
Effective Monday, February 23rd, COIPA Executive Director, John Ryan, was placed on administrative leave due to events unrelated to Central Oregon IPA."
According to the Yamhill County jail, Ryan was being held in lieu of $517,000 bail yesterday. Nelson is also in Yamhill County jail, in lieu of $142,500 bail.
McMinnville Police Capt. Dennis Marks stated that the Oregon Department of Justice, McMinnville Police Department, and Bend Police Department are all investigating this case. Updates to this story will be posted as they occur.
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