Homeland Security Opens Child Exploitation Probe Into Banned Texas Volleyball Coach

A Texas volleyball coach, Ryan Richardson, is now under a federal investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to a report by ProPublica and The Washington Post. The investigation stems from allegations of child exploitation and misconduct, detailed in the ProPublica and Post story. Richardson, who was previously suspended and banned from coaching by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old player beginning in 2022 and engaged in physical misconduct and bullying, according to Juan J. Flores Jr., a supervisor in HSI's Rio Grande Valley unit.

Flores stated his intention to thoroughly investigate Richardson, who he knows is still coaching. Richardson did not respond to requests for comment. In 2022, when the 16-year-old girl was still a minor, she allegedly had a sexual relationship with Richardson, according to Snapchat messages exchanged between them. A mother of a former player, Maggie Gutierrez, discovered Richardson alone with her then 16-year-old daughter in his gym, allegedly attempting to tie up the string of his pants.

She reported her concerns to police, but her daughter, now 18, being an adult, and her refusal to cooperate led to the case being closed. The police departments in Pharr and McAllen did not respond to requests for comment.