By Andres Felix Romero

DISCLAIMER TO THE READER: Please use caution when reading this article, it contains language related to sexual abuse, and may be harmful to readers.

University police and Ryan Hill of the District Attorney’s office (DA) arrested  Cal Poly Humboldt Student Health Center Medical Assistant Ryan Graves on April 8 on felony charges of contact with a minor for sexual offense (PC288.2) and showing pornography to a minor (PC288.3). The arrest was the result of a sting operation in which an adult decoy from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Child Safety Soldiers (CSS) posed as a 14-year-old on social media.

The Lumberjack obtained court documents and a copy of Graves’ warrant detailing the key dates of the case. Graves made contact with the decoy on Feb. 16, where the decoy made clear they were underage. According to court documents, after Graves made contact, he engaged in conversation with the decoy that consisted of lewd language and nude images sent to the decoy. These chat logs resulted in Hill beginning an investigation into Graves.

“On or about 4-3-25, [Hill] was contacted by a member of [the CSS],” said the court documents. “[The CSS] advised that a 41-year-old-male, Ryan Edward Graves of Humboldt County, was engaged in a text conversation with [the CSS] posing as a 14-year-old-girl.”

On April 5, Judge Steven Steward of the Humboldt County Superior Court authorized a warrant for the arrest of Graves, as well as a search warrant of Graves’ residence and electronics. On April 10, Graves was arraigned in front of a judge. He entered a plea of not guilty and hired a private defender who requested a two-week continuance for confirmation of counsel. Graves posted bail late in the evening and is set to appear in court next on April 22 for the confirmation of counsel. A preliminary hearing for the case is set for May 29.

At this time, the university cannot comment on Graves’s employment status with the campus as it is an ongoing investigation. At the time of publication, Graves’ employee profile is still on the university’s website. The family of Ryan Graves are distraught after the arrest, and ask the public to respect their privacy as they deal with the weight of the charges.

“We will continue to know, love, and support him as a family,” said the Graves family in a statement. “We beg that you please respect our privacy during this extremely difficult time. Any further negativity will not help, even if it feels like it will.”

Who are the Child Safety Soldiers?

The Child Safety Soldiers is a nonprofit that operates nationwide, founded in 2017 and is led by Shane Coyle. The CSS conducts sting operations and works with local law enforcement and Attorney Alexandria Crouthamel to ensure their practices are legal, sound, and that all evidence they gather is admissible in a court of law.

Seek resources if needed

If you are a survivor of any form of assault, there are many resources available as well. Counseling and Psychological Services on campus can be reached by health@humboldt.edu or (707) 826-3236. If you’re someone who struggles with urges that would lead to sexual offenses, there are resources and support available. The John Hopkins School of Public Health has a division called MOORE that focuses on preventing child sexual abuse. Please refer to their website for more information on their anonymous services for those with sexual interest in children.

Kyla Baxley is the current Chief Investigator for the DA’s office and shared a reminder to stay vigilant against all kinds of predators on the internet.

“Internet safety is crucial in today’s digital world to protect individuals from identity theft, cyberbullying, exploitation, and scams,” said Baxley. “It helps protect personal information, promotes responsible online behavior, and ensures people can use technology safely and confidently. Sexual predators exploit the anonymity and accessibility of the internet to target vulnerable individuals, especially children. Families, schools, and law enforcement staying aware and responsive to internet safety is a vital defense against these threats.”

Andres Felix Romero is a senior and reporter for The Lumberjack. He is passionate about writing to improve the world around him and can often be found hiking in the woods with his dog, Uichu.