STAR, Idaho — 35-year-old Ryan Stephen Patania of Star was sentenced to 40 years in prison, 30 years fixed and 10 years indeterminate, after pleading guilty to four counts of Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material.

Honorable Ada County District Judge Jason Scott additionally ordered Patania to have no contact with the victims for 40 years and to register as a sex offender.

The case began in December of 2024 when detectives investigated Patania for making sexual comments and sexually touching a child.

Patania was a local church volunteer.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Star Police arrest local church volunteer on sexual battery charges; additional victims sought

After an investigation, Patania was arrested.

According to a press release, following a search warrant on Patania's phone, dep

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