Ricky Ray Ryan, Jr., Making False Statements, North Carolina 2024

Ricky Ray Ryan, Jr., 31, of Windsor, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today to making false statements to the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Crisis Line after making more than 12,000 calls to the hotline as a non-veteran.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Ryan contacted the VA Crisis Line over 12,000 times between 2016 and 2023. The VA Crisis Line is operated by the VA for veterans experiencing difficult life events or challenges after leaving the military. VA Crisis Line employees are trained to remain online with callers until their services are no longer needed or emergency services are dispatched.

During each of his calls to the VA Crisis Line, Ryan, who used a software program to mask his identity, reported to be experiencing suicidal ideations, and then provided fake names, false addresses, and dates of birth. On many occasions, emergency services were dispatched in response to Ryan’s claims, but the addresses Ryan provided were either fake or not his actual address.

Ryan pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement and faces a penalty of up to five years in prison when sentenced.

The United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Investigation, is investigating the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa K. Labresh is prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-1-D-RN.

Ricky Ray Ryan, Jr. is set to be sentenced in the near future. His exact sentencing date has not been released. Ryan, a non-veteran, made more than 12,000 fake calls to the VA Crisis Line, often providing fake names and addresses, and, in some cases, causing emergency services to be dispatched.

This case highlights the severity of Ryan’s actions and the impact it had on the VA Crisis Line and its operators. The VA Crisis Line is a vital resource for veterans experiencing difficult life events or challenges after leaving the military.