Ryan Howard

Ryan arrived at the sting house and was greeted by a male adult decoy instead of an actual child. Wearing nothing but a jumper, cap, short shorts and flip flops, Ryan quickly made himself comfortable, removing his flip flops and casually making his way over to the couch. The decoy offered him pizza, to which Ryan replied that he didn't want any. He brought out a bottle of lubricant and took a seat. The decoy asked him if he was excited and Ryan said he was before sitting down and crossing his legs like he was in Sunset Boulevard . The decoy asked Ryan if he vaped and he said that he didn't. The decoy once again offered him some pizza before going upstairs using the vape excuse.

Ryan immediately stated he wasn't going to do anything. He told Hansen his age when asked before saying he "really [didn't] know" what his plan was. He admitted that he felt nervous talking to someone so young when asked. He then denied wanting to do anything, saying he only came over to talk and apologising. Hansen questioned why a grown man would bring Astroglide gel to meet a 15-year-old boy, to which Ryan admitted he knew. Upon Hansen inquiring as to what Ryan would be doing during the act, mockingly saying "eat pizza?" it instantly became clear to Ryan that what he said didn't make any sense. Hansen grilled Ryan for repeatedly saying "I don't know" when asked questions. Ryan then made the bold claim that he didn't know the boy was 15, which Hansen immediately dismissed by reminding Ryan that he spoke to the decoy about it directly. Ryan asked to know what was happening, with Hansen reminding Ryan that he was there to meet a child for sex.

Ryan refused to tell Hansen where he worked after being asked, but Chris said he will find out. Ryan begged for Hansen not to find out, but Hansen bluntly pointed out that it will be made public whether Ryan liked it or not. Ryan said he didn't want to lose his job and apologized again. He explained he worked with people's credit cards via the phone, normally to make sure there was no fraud or other irregularities in their account balances. He denied ever being in trouble with the law and meeting people for sex off of the internet. He admitted it was difficult to believe and that he wouldn't believe himself if he was in Hansen's position. Hansen reminded Ryan that the 11-year age gap was not even a close call. Ryan revealed he lived in Negaunee with his parents when asked, admitting he'd be in "deep shit" if they ever found out. He admitted there "might" be condoms in his car but none on his person. He said he understood why it was wrong and, when asked what he thought should happen to him, attempted to ask what "the fee" was before spotting one of the cameramen hiding behind a corner. Chris then revealed who he was and that Ryan had walked into a sting. Ryan revealed that he had previously seen Hansen's predator investigations. Before surrendering to the police, Ryan declared that he knew he did something wrong, he didn't want to lose his job, that he was sorry and that he never should've come to the sting house.

Ryan said he "wasn't thinking clear" when asked by Hansen what was going through his mind before sticking to his excuse of talking to and getting to know the decoy. He revealed he was an only child before finally admitting he had previously hooked up with people his own age. Hansen reiterated that the law was broken when he attempted to hook up with someone underage. Hansen dismissed this by reminding Ryan that he seemed very comfortable as soon as he took a seat and waited for the decoy to grab his vape. Ryan admitted he had second thoughts during the 20-minute drive but didn't understand why he did. He said he'd be willing to admit to his crimes and take the punishment as long as he didn't lose his job. Ryan's advice to other potential sex predators was to verify who they were talking to and not take advantage of minors for sex because it was wrong. He then declared he would remove himself from the site and would focus on people his own age. After talking to Hansen a little longer about his college education and reflecting further on how he "did not think," Ryan was taken into custody. Hilariously, Ryan asked the deputies handcuffing him if he was going to jail, to which they confirmed he was.

Ryan was charged with four felonies: Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, Child Sexually Abusive Commercial Activity, and two counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. He was convicted of Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, he has since registered as a sex offender and was given five years of probation, set to expire on June 9, 2029.

In a follow-up episode posted to Tru Blu on September 19, 2024, Chris Hansen said that a viewer sent him a screenshot showing that Ryan is still active on dating websites.

A screenshot of Ryan's dating profile from the update episode.