Man accused of sending 50 threatening phone calls to ex, planning to harm goats, setting house on fire

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Officers arrested a West Palm Beach man after he allegedly made about 50 calls to his ex-girlfriend in one night, threatening to harm herself and her goats and to burn down her home.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said deputies responded to a call Tuesday evening from the victim, who reported the threatening calls Tuesday evening. The woman said her ex-boyfriend, John Ryan, made several threatening phone calls and text messages despite a court order banning contact.

Ryan’s ex-girlfriend provided the sheriff’s office with a voicemail he left in which he threatened to slit his wrists and demanded she give him back his belongings. Additionally, the victim said Ryan allegedly threatened to harm her goats and burn down her house.

According to the arrest affidavit, this is not Ryan’s first brush with the law. Ryan was previously arrested on November 12 for domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. After his release, the 36-year-old continued to contact her, violating the court’s no-contact order. Additionally, she allowed Ryan into her home on Nov. 27, but the situation escalated the next day with more threats and intimidation, the affidavit said.

The ex-girlfriend expressed fear for her safety, believing Ryan was under the influence of methamphetamine and capable of carrying out his threats, the arrest report said.

Ryan was found and arrested Wednesday in West Palm Beach and is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of aggravated stalking, communications harassment and violating conditions of pretrial release.

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