Disturbing Case of Solicitation Involves 27-Year-Old Realtor and 16-Year-Old Girl

LAKE WORTH, Fla. — A recent incident in Lake Worth has raised alarms about the safety of minors after a 27-year-old realtor allegedly engaged in inappropriate communications with a 16-year-old girl. The situation escalated when the young victim reported that she was pursued by the man near Woodlands Middle School.

Incident Overview

On April 28, the victim reported to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) that a man, later identified as Ryan Kroll, was actively following her in a white truck. The alarming encounter unfolded as follows:

• Initial Approach: Kroll exited his vehicle to approach the girl, reportedly stating, “Sorry if I was creepy, I saw you and thought you were really pretty.”
• Communication Exchange: After revealing her age of 15, the suspect claimed to be between 22 and 24 years old. During their encounter, he grabbed her phone, called his own number, and then left.

Following this interaction, the victim added Kroll to her contacts as "the guy that chased me down." Later that day, she researched him on social media and discovered his realtor advertisements, which included his name and the same phone number.

Text Conversations Reveal Disturbing Intentions

In a series of subsequent text exchanges, the victim probed Kroll about his actual age. He eventually admitted to being 27. As she began to feel uncomfortable, she communicated to Kroll that her father was knowledgeable about legal matters, suggesting they cease contact.

• Attempts to Cut Off Communication: After blocking Kroll’s number and social media accounts, she immediately informed her father about the situation, who advised her to delete the conversations. However, she chose to screen record the messages, providing a crucial piece of evidence to law enforcement.

On May 1, PBSO deputies took over the communication to investigate further. Initial exchanges led to disturbing texts where Kroll:

• Invited the minor to hang out alone.
• Sent nude images of himself.
• Asked the minor for nude pictures in return.

When a meeting was suggested, Kroll hesitated, claiming responsibilities at home would prevent him from attending.

Legal Consequences and Charges

Due to the explicit content of the messages, deputies established probable cause to arrest Ryan Kroll on multiple charges:

• Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct
• Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor
• Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device

These charges highlight the serious implications surrounding the exploitative behavior of adults towards minors.

Community and Parental Guidance

This incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and parental guidance in protecting minors. Here are a few crucial tips for parents:

• Educate Your Children: Teach minors about online safety and the importance of reporting suspicious behavior.
• Monitor Communication: Keep an open line of communication with your children about their interactions, both online and offline.
• Report Suspicious Behavior: Encourage children to report any inappropriate advances to trusted adults or law enforcement immediately.

For further insights on safeguarding minors against such threats, explore resources from StopBullying.gov and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a critical reminder of the dangers present in today’s society, emphasizing the need for vigilance and education in safeguarding the youth.