Ryan M. Soderberg.(Photo: Submitted)

A 33-year-old Wauwatosa director of Young Life, anondenominational Christian group, is accused of pretending to be female on Instagramto lure a young teento take and send him sexually explicit videos and photos.

Ryan M. Soderberg, of Wauwatosa, was charged Nov. 7 in Waukesha County Circuit Courtwith sexual exploitation of a childand soliciting intimate representation from a minor, both felonies. On Nov. 11, a cash bondwas set at$25,000.

Soderberg is also a former JV soccer coach at Wauwatosa West High School and a former substitute teacher in the school district.

A couple spoke with a Waukesha County Sheriff's detective about their 14-year-old foster son who had been sending naked and semi-naked photographs of himself to someone who appeared to be a female in her early 20s, later identified as Soderberg, according to the criminal complaint.

The couple told police they wereespecially concerned over the fact that the person behind the Instagram accountcoercedand directedthe 14-year-old on what type of sexually explicit content to send, how to pose and how to produce and transmit thevideos and images, the complaint said.

All electronic communications the teen received were accessed using one of his foster parent's phones.

The teen had been communicating with someone using the Instagram name "sammyisabaddy," whoseprofile said shewas always bored [and]always looking to chat, the complaint said.The account was deactivated as of April 2.

A detective discovered the username was associated with an account holder in Wauwatosa.

The detective also found a conversation showingSoderberg stating he was 16 and asking for sexually explicit videos and pictures of the teen.

In August, the Waukesha County Sheriffs Detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment in Wauwatosa associated with the IP addresses using that Instagram profile.

Detectives spoke with Soderberg and his roommate. The roommate was cleared of any crimes.

The roommate, who works during the day, told detectives Soderberg workedfor Young Life, a nondenominational Christian group that encourages adults to build friendships with youth. He said Soderberg was one of the leaders of the Wauwatosa chapter and would occasionally bring Young Life kids to the apartment, the complaint said. Soderberg acknowledged having children from Young Life at the apartment.

Soderberg told police he is often home alone at the apartment during the day" and has struggled with a "pornography addiction," the complaint said. He denied viewing any child pornography, although police turned up evidence he had searched for "young boys" on a pornographic website, the complaint said.

Police also found that Soderberg had visited websites with sexually explicit fictional stories involving minor children.

He had also uploaded a picture of a blonde woman for the Instagram account, the complaint said.

A statement fromTerry Swenson, vice president of communications with Young Life, confirmed that Soderberg had been an area director for Young Life in Wauwatosa until August.

"As soon as Young Life leadership became aware of suspicions regarding Mr. Soderbergs personal conduct, he was removed from his Young Life role and from any contact with young people through our organization," Swenson said in his statement."We are deeply troubled to learn of the charges that have been made; Mr. Soderbergs alleged actions are contrary to all we stand for as an organization committed to the safety and well-being of young people.

"As part of that commitment, all our staff and volunteers undergo rigorous background checks before they are permitted to have contact with students. We have and will continue to cooperate with authorities as they investigate this matter, and we are grateful for their diligence and expertise in pursuing this case. We pray for healing for everyone affected by this situation."

The Wauwatosa School District sent an email to parents this week notifying them of the charges against Soderberg.

Soderberg was a JV boys soccer coach at Wauwatosa West High school from 2009-18, according to the school district.He informed the West High School coaching staff late this summer that he would not be coaching for the 2019 season.

He was hired as a substitute teacher in the district in 2008. The last time he filled a sub position was in 2017.

"The charges have no relation to Mr. Soderbergs previous time as a coach for Wauwatosa West High School," the letter stated.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office is asking for help identifying additional victims. Soderberg is thought to have victimized additional juveniles, primarily in the Waukesha County and Wauwatosa area, who have not reported the incidents to law enforcement, according to a press release.

Other account names may have been used, but it is not known at this time.

Anyone who has information that may be beneficial for the investigation should call Detective Mark Conrad at 262-691-6038.

Soderberg is scheduled to be in court Dec. 6 for a preliminary hearing.

ContactKaren Pilarski at karen.pilarski@jrn.com. Followheron Twitter at @KarenPilarski.

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A former director of a Wauwatosa Christian group has been charged with sexual exploitation of a child - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel