FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A driver and engineer for Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue has been arrested and charged after, authorities said, federal agents found child pornography during a search of his home.
Patrick Ryan, 43, appeared before a judge on Friday where his bond was set at $1.1 million. Ryan’s attorney said he simply cannot afford that.
Cellphone video captured Sunrise Police and the FBI as they swarmed a Sunrise neighborhood, Thursday morning.
Authorities were looking for Ryan and arrived at the firefighter’s home with a search warrant.
Ryan, a member of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue since 2009, works out of several FLFR stations. Officials said had been scheduled to work at Station 16 in Wilton Manors on Thursday but was not on duty at the time of his arrest.
He was taken into custody after, investigators said, agents found images of child porn on his devices. They have not elaborated further on the content they found.
In total, Ryan faces 11 charges related to child porn.
Neighbors who spoke to 7News off camera said the suspect is always quiet and keeps his head down. They said they’re shocked by the charges against him.
A 7News crew stopped by Ryan’s home to talk to family members. No one answered the door.
FLFR officials said he has been placed on administrative leave. They issued a statement that reads, “Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue was notified early Thursday morning, that an employee had been arrested on child pornography charges. The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and appropriate discipline will be taken pending the criminal investigation. For information regarding the investigation, please contact the arresting agency, City of Sunrise Police. It is important to know that the accused actions of this single employee in no way represent the values or integrity of the more than 400 men and women of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.”
Ryan is being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale.
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