Firefighter accused of possessing child porn held on bond

SUNRISE — A Fort Lauderdale firefighter was arrested and is facing 11 charges related to child pornography.

Patrick Ryan, 43, was being investigated for participating in a chat room that specialized in child pornography on

Kik, a social media application. According to an arrest report from the Sunrise Police Department, the group was known for sharing child sex abuser material.

Ryan had risen to the level of administrator and had uploaded at least 14 videos and two photos to the group, according to the arrest report.

Sunrise police were tipped off to Ryan’s activities by the FBI earlier this month. Ryan had been watched by undercover officers since May 2020, who eventually discovered he was a Fort Lauderdale firefighter.

Ryan was arrested Thursday morning at his home by Sunrise police.

He is charged with 10 counts of possession of obscene material and one count of obscene communication.

Ryan appeared before a Broward County judge Friday and is being held in lieu of a $1.1 million bond. Judge Kal Evans ordered Ryan to have no access to devices with internet access, including telephones, laptops, tablets or televisions. He remained at the Broward Main Jail on Friday afternoon.

Sunrise police showed up at Ryan’s home about 6 a.m. Thursday with an arrest warrant. He was arrested as he was headed to work and dressed partly in his uniform, according to Sunrise police spokesperson Otishia BrowningSmith.

Ryan has been placed on administrative leave, according to the fire department.

Police said other charges might be filed against Ryan.

Ryan