Ryan Segura, a 27-year-old Saint Augustine High School teacher charged with distributing child pornography, was denied bail in federal court.
SAN DIEGO — Ryan Segura, a 27-year-old Saint Augustine High School teacher charged with distributing child pornography, was denied bail in federal court today. The judge cited concerns that Segura remains a threat to the community due to the nature of his crimes.
The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Griffith, revealed new information during the hearing, stating that Segura admitted to taking non-sexual photos of his students and discussing them in a sexual manner with someone online. Segura admitted to exchanging child sexual abuse images with a man in Denver through social media said the prosecution lawyers.
The defense, attorney Nicholas DePento, argued that Segura’s crimes were limited to distributing child pornography and not creating it. They proposed that if granted bail, Segura would have lived with his grandmother in Fallbrook, with his mother and grandmother offering their assets as security for his return to court.
Segura admitted to meeting with someone he believed to be 18 for sex and then later found out the person was 16, prosecutors added, further detailing the extent of Segura’s alleged activities.
Segura, who has been placed on administrative leave, taught religion at St. Augustine High School in North Park for the past four years and also served as a track and field coach, according to his LinkedIn page.
The charge of distributing child pornography carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years. The judge has set Segura’s arraignment hearing for September 9th.
Segura’s family was present in the courtroom during the proceedings, where cameras were not allowed. The case continues to unfold as investigators gather more evidence and prepare for the upcoming arraignment.