Sparta village councilman accused of accosting child

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Sparta village council member has been arrested and charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes.

Ryan James Hayes, 34, was arrested last Tuesday in an FBI sting operation, Kent County Undersheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said.

Jail records show Hayes was arrested by the Kent County Sheriff's Department, but LaJoye-Young said her office only acted in assisting the FBI.

Hayes was charged with accosting children for immoral purposes, and using a computer to commit a crime. The accosting charge is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

Hayes was new to the Sparta village council — appointed in February to fill a vacant seat. He was sworn in on March 12, according to the village’s Facebook page.


More at WOODTV.com.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content