Jonathan and Angela Ryker charged in abuse case

Prosecutors charged a New Jersey cheerleading coach for allegedly abusing teenage girls, and also charged his mother with allegedly telling one of the victims to recant, according to reports.

Jonathan P. Ryker, 25, is charged with sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated criminal sexual conduct. His mother, Angela Ryker, 51, is charged with witness tampering and criminal attempt.

The Medford Township Police Department said Jonathan Ryker sent a minor explicit content through social media.

Shirtless and lying in bed, Ryker allegedly took a selfie and sent it to a 15-year-old cheerleader on Snapchat, stated court documents obtained by WPVI. He asked for what the outlet described as “sexual favors.” The girl allegedly also said he groped her during practice.

“During the 8-month investigation, detectives were able to identify additional victims associated with Rockstar Cheer of Southampton, NJ where Ryker was a coach,” officers said.

Another girl, 17, a gymnast under his supervision, reportedly stepped forward to cops. She said that in February 2021, Ryker picked her up from home and took her to a hotel room for sex.

“At one point, he is holding her neck against the bed, and she was pushing him off because she could not breathe,” the probable cause affidavit reportedly stated. “She thought to herself that he was going to kill her.”

As allegedly heard in a court-approved wiretap, Jonathan Ryker told the girl in February to say she was 18 during the incident and to omit “the first time they had sexual intercourse.”