Man tries to sexually abuse teens at hotel: Knox County Sheriff

A 38-year-old Hilliard, Ohio, man faces charges in connection with communicating with teens about sexually abusing them in a hotel room, according to a news release from the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Jack Harlan says Ryan P. Loveless was arrested shortly after 9 p.m. Friday.

Knox County Sheriff's Office investigators had information that Loveless was communicating with 15- and 16-year-old children, and traveled across state lines to Illinois to sexually abuse them. "Further information was gained that Loveless planned on bringing his infant, due to not having a babysitter," the release says.

Investigators learned that Loveless rented a hotel room and instructed the Knox County teens to drive to Danville, Illinois, and enter the hotel through a side door.

Once information was gathered, the Knox County State's Attorney's Office produced an arrest warrant for Loveless.

"Thanks to effective communication the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Vermillion County Sheriff's Office, and Danville Police Department were able to work together to locate Loveless in the hotel parking lot in Danville, where he was taken into custody," the release says.

Loveless did have his infant child with him. The infant, who was not injured, was turned over to family members after a medical evaluation, the release shows.

Loveless was taken into custody then transported and booked into the Knox County Jail on these charges:

"Sheriff Jack Harlan puts out this message to make parents aware of their children's social media accounts and who they may be communicating with," according to the release.