PINELLAS PARK — A Venice man identified as a fugitive sex offender was arrested Wednesday in Pinellas Park following an investigation involving online communications with a minor, according to police.
Ryan John Tramutola, 41, traveled from Sarasota County to Pinellas Park with the intent to meet a 15-year-old and commit sexual offenses, investigators said. Detectives with the Pinellas Park Police Department received information that Tramutola had been engaged in inappropriate online communications with minor children, which led to the investigation.
During the investigation, authorities determined Tramutola also had an outstanding warrant from Pennsylvania for similar charges. Police said he is a convicted sex offender for prior offenses in that state.
Tramutola was taken into custody without incident on March 18 after arriving in Pinellas Park to meet the minor, according to authorities.
Pinellas Park Police Chief Adam Geissenberger shared the following statement after the arrest:
“Crimes involving the exploitation of children are among the most serious offenses we investigate, and we pursue them aggressively. This suspect was given a second chance by the courts and chose to reoffend. Our detectives moved quickly to identify and arrest him, and we will continue to find and arrest those who target minors. We encourage parents to stay involved in their children’s lives and actively monitor their online activity to help prevent predators like this from targeting our children.”
Tramutola was transported to the Pinellas County Jail and faces multiple felony charges, including
- traveling to meet a minor
- seduction of a child using the internet
- unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- prohibited computer transmissions.
He is also charged in connection with warrants for tampering with an electronic monitoring device and parole violation related to sexual assault.
The investigation remains ongoing.