UNION BEACH – A youth soccer coach has been hit with a 30-count indictment involving sexual crimes perpetrated on student-athletes formerly under his supervision, officials said.
Ryan Gunsauls, 32, of Union Beach is charged with four counts of first-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), four counts of second-degree Attempted Endangering via Manufacture of CSAM, eight counts of second-degree Endangering via Sexual Conduct, nine counts of third-degree Distributing Obscene Materials to a Minor, two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact, and single counts of second-degree Endangering via Distribution of CSAM, third-degree Endangering via Sexual Conduct, and third-degree Possession of CSAM.
Police said the investigation into Gunsauls’ actions began earlier this year, after a minor disclosed that Gunsauls was soliciting and distributing sexually explicit materials with him through a social media app.
Authorities later identified eight additional victims, ranging in age from 11 to 17. They were all contacted for interviews, officials said.
Gunsauls was arrested without incident in May and brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. A motion by the Prosecutor’s Office to keep him detained as the case against him proceeds was granted by a Superior Court Judge later the same month.
Anyone with more information about Gunsauls’ activities is being asked to contact MCPO Detective Joseph Mason at 800-533-7443.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
