An area musician, teacher and conductor faces multiple charges of criminal sexual abuse and separate counts of soliciting a child and child grooming after he was arrested Friday at Rend Lake College. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office arrested Joseph A. Ryker, 26, of Herrin around noon April 28 at the college. Deputy U.S. Marshals assisted in the arrest. The charges involve a 15-year-old high school student, according to a news release.
Ryker, who has been an adjunct professor at the college, as well as the director of musical ensembles, also has served as assistant conductor of the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra.
He now is charged with six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one count of indecent solicitation of a child, and one count of grooming. All the charges are felonies.
Ryker was taken to the Franklin County Jail on $250,000 bond.
