Man Arrested on Numerous Child Sex Charges

Ryan Lente (Courtesy: San Juan Co. Sheriffs Office)

Detectives performed a forensic examination of Lente’s cell phone and after the interview Lente was charged with the following: 4 counts of sexual exploitation of children (by manufacturing) (a 2nd degree felony), 4 counts of sexual exploitation of children (causing or permitting to engage in act, under 18) (a 3nd degree felony), 8 counts of criminal sexual penetration of minor in the 4th degree (child 13 to 16 years of age) (a 4th degree felony), sexual exploitation of minor (possession) (4th degree felony), 6 counts of contributing to the delinquency of minor (a 4th degree felony) and 2 coun

From the San Juan Co. Sheriffs Office

Friday, November 1, 2019

At approximately 12:35 p.m. on October 31, 2019 detectives with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office were at a residence near the intersection of New Mexico Highway 170 and County Road 1800 near Jackson Lake to conduct a search warrant. A man identified as 24-year-old, Ryan Lente fired one round from a firearm into the ground as detectives were in the doorway of the home. No one was injured, and there were no shots fired by law enforcement. Detectives immediately took Lente into custody without incident and he was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview. The search warrant was executed immediately after taking Lente into custody and his cell phone was seized.

Detectives performed a forensic examination of Lente’s cell phone and after the interview Lente was charged with the following: 4 counts of sexual exploitation of children (by manufacturing) (a 2nd degree felony), 4 counts of sexual exploitation of children (causing or permitting to engage in act, under 18) (a 3nd degree felony), 8 counts of criminal sexual penetration of minor in the 4th degree (child 13 to 16 years of age) (a 4th degree felony), sexual exploitation of minor (possession) (4th degree felony), 6 counts of contributing to the delinquency of minor (a 4th degree felony) and 2 counts of enticement of a child (a misdemeanor). Lente is facing up to 123 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that all arrests are public record in the state of New Mexico and that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind community members to be cautious of who they allow their children to spend time alone with, to avoid potentially dangerous encounters. If you are worried your child was a victim of sexual abuse, please contact dispatch at 505-334-6622 and ask to speak with a Detective. The public is also encouraged to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

More from Local News

  • AirCare adds Second Airplane

    AirCare 3 is a Pilatus PC-12 Legacy. It joins AirCare 1, a Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, and AirCare 2, a Pilatus PC-12 NGX, all owned by San Juan Regional Medical Center and operated by Air Methods.

  • San Juan County Celebrates New Extension Office

    The San Juan County Extension Service Building project is one of 14 projects funded by $13 million recovered in New Mexico’s 2022 settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA contractors, and mining defendants for injuries to natural resources resulting from the August 2015 Gold King Mine blowout.

  • 2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

    These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.

  • Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

    The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.

  • Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

    The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.

  • Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

    Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 21°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 18°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 21°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 55°F | Low: 21°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 54°F | Low: 30°F