A Star man who police say was closely involved with foster children and youth at local churches was arrested Monday on multiple felony warrants, including two counts of sexual battery on a minor child.
Ryan Patania, 34, was arrested after 5 p.m. in the 200 block of North Highbrook Way in Star by Ada County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Star police and Ada County SWAT on felony warrants for sexual battery on a minor age 16 to 17, injury to a child, aggravated assault, and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, according to a news release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives also searched Patania’s residence and, during the investigation, learned that Patania “has made statements that there may be other juveniles he had inappropriate contact with locally,” the release said.
Anyone with additional information about Patania is asked to contact Star Police Detective Turner at 208-377-6790.
Patania is being held at the Ada County Jail on a $1 million bond.