Cape Cod man pleads not guilty in attempted sexual abuse of child – NECN

A 27-year-old man who allegedly attempted to sexually assault a child at a soccer game on Cape Cod earlier this week appeared in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to several counts against him.

Ryan Evans was arraigned in Barnstable District Court on charges of assault of a child, child abduction and indecent assault of a child under the age of 14 in connection with Tuesday’s incidents at Peter Homer Memorial Park in Yarmouth.

Authorities say Evans lured a 5-year-old boy behind the park’s restrooms and attempted to sexually assault him shortly before 8 p.m. The child’s scream scared Evans away and he sped off on an electric bike, triggering a police manhunt.

The boy’s mother told police she was at a soccer game with her five-year-old son and his nine-year-old brother when she lost sight of her younger child for a brief moment. At that moment, the boy told police, Evans lured him to his bike and attempted to rape him.

Evans was extensively searched for and arrested during a traffic stop shortly after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police found Evans using a GPS tracker.

At the time of the incident, Evans was supposed to be wearing a GPS tracker. His curfew was originally 5 p.m., but was moved to 8 p.m. in April – around the time the attempted robbery took place on Tuesday.

A Dennis man was arrested after allegedly luring a child behind a toilet at a soccer game in Yarmouth.

Community members are voicing their concerns. One woman says, “I’m shocked, shocked, especially because it happened in this area. I mean, this can happen anywhere, but this is a very safe area, a safe playground.”

The boy’s family declined to comment Thursday, while Evans’s lawyer rushed out of the courthouse without saying a word.

Yarmouth police have said they know Evans and have had dealings with him in the past. In 2021, he was charged with violent rape of a child, unarmed burglary and assault, assault, criminal damage and theft, according to police.

Evans is currently being held without bail pending further psychiatric evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.