A 35-year-old College Station man has admitted to attempting to coerce a 9-year-old girl into sexual acts and possessing dozens of child pornography images, including depictions of children under 5, federal prosecutors announced today. Ryan Dale McWhorter pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography — charges that could land him behind bars for life.
McWhorter engaged in explicit online conversations in a chat group dedicated to child sexual exploitation, authorities say. He believed he was communicating with the stepfather of a 9-year-old girl. Instead, he was trading messages with an undercover law enforcement officer. In those exchanges, McWhorter demanded naked photos of the child, including images of her genitals, and instructed that she take a photo of herself touching the ‘stepfather’s’ penis.
Even more disturbing, McWhorter discussed plans to travel to Florida to meet the child and have sex with her. His digital footprint sealed his fate. When investigators seized his cellphone, forensic analysis uncovered 40 images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct — some involving infants. They also found a saved video of child pornography pulled from another illicit chat.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick confirmed the plea, emphasizing that McWhorter posed a clear danger to the community. He was arrested and immediately deemed a flight risk. He remains in federal custody without bond, awaiting sentencing before U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes on November 16.
For the coercion and enticement charge alone, McWhorter faces up to life in prison. The receipt of child pornography charge carries a maximum 20-year sentence; possession adds up to 10 more years. He could also be fined $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo is leading the prosecution.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Bryan Resident Agency and Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office, with support from the College Station Police Department. It was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a DOJ initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to hunt down predators and rescue victims. More information is available on the DOJ’s PSC page and its resource tab for internet safety education.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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