No Leads for Youth Minister Wanted in Sexual Abuse Case

WDSU
June 26, 2015

http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/no-signs-of-youth-minister-wanted-on-sexual-abuse-allegations/33775654

[with video]

A day after New Orleans police released the name and photo of a man wanted for allegedly sexually abusing two teen boys, Ryan Rodgers has not been located.

Police say the 36-year-old is accused of "grooming" the teen victims for more than a year. The victims told police Rodgers "touched them inappropriately while they slept" and they "woke up to Rodgers fondling them."

Rodgers is also accused of buying the teens underwear and making them pose in front of him.

Most of the encounters occurred, according to police, inside Rodgers' Baronne Street apartment.

"It's scary, my kids live here, but also play here," said Kelli Jones, a resident of the same complex.

Police said Rodgers has not answered his apartment door, has turned off his cellphone and may be living in motels.

"I will definitely be keeping my eye out for him now," Jones said.

Rodgers is a youth minister at several local churches in the Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes. But police stopped short of naming the churches.

It's possible, according to investigators, that there may be more cases they are unaware of.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 822-1111.