ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — An Ohio man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually abusing a 15-year-old from California after he was captured and arrested in Cedar City in 2024.

Ryan Gary Patch, 28, of Dayton, Ohio pleaded guilty on March 27, 2025 to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison and was also ordered to pay over $11,000 in restitution to the victim.

According to a news release from the Utah District of the United States Attorney's Office, Patch met the 15-year-old victim on Instagram.

On the morning of July 24, 2024, Patch took the victim from her home in California and began to transport her to Ohio. He also broke and destroyed her phone before he took her, told her to fac

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