Sep. 20—ROSS TWP. — The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop P, in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday released a photograph of Ryan McDermott, 40, wanted on charges he sexually assaulted a teenage girl at several motels in the area from June through August.
A heavy presence of state police troopers, including the aerial aviation unit, have focused their search for McDermott, of 172 Bronson Rd, Lake Township, in the Sweet Valley area since Thursday afternoon.
McDermott is wanted on an arrest warrant obtained by Pittston Township police Thursday alleging he raped and constrained the girl, provided her with marijuana and alcohol, and recorded the sexual assaults.
McDermott is described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, blue eyes, red hair and has a tattoo on his right forearm.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Pittston Township police:
Police initiated their investigation Sept. 6 when contacted by a police department at a university in Illinois.
The girl who is under 18 reported she met McDermott when she was invited to attend a high school graduation party in late June. She claimed McDermott took her to different motels where he gave her alcohol, marijuana, constrained her and sexually assaulted her, the complaint says.
During the investigation, the complaint says, police obtained video of the sexual assaults inside motel rooms that McDermott sent to the girl to remind her, “who her man is.”
McDermott’s tattoo on his right forearm is visible in a video he allegedly recorded.
McDermott is facing multiple felony charges of rape, unlawful restraint and dissemination of child sex acts.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Troop P, Wilkes-Barre, at 570-822-5400.