Federal probe opens into Texas volleyball coach banned for misconduct

Homeland Security Investigations has initiated a federal child exploitation probe into Ryan Richardson, a Texas volleyball coach previously ruled “permanently ineligible” by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The inquiry follows reporting by ProPublica and The Washington Post, which revealed that Richardson continued coaching teenage girls in Pharr, Texas, despite SafeSport’s findings of sexual misconduct, an intimate relationship with a minor, and bullying.

Juan J. Flores Jr., a supervisor in the HSI unit focusing on child exploitation in the Rio Grande Valley, confirmed the probe was launched specifically in response to the joint reporting. Flores stated the investigation would also examine the actions of police departments in Pharr and McAllen, which previously declined to pursue cases against Richardson.

SafeSport’s public disciplinary list states Richardson had an intimate relationship with a minor, committed sexual misconduct involving a minor, and engaged in physical misconduct and bullying. In early 2025, Richardson was suspended by Lone Star Region Volleyball, and in February 2025, the U.S. Center for SafeSport issued its ruling.

In 2024, police in Pharr and McAllen declined to pursue the case because the alleged victim was 18 years old and, under Texas law, considered an adult with the right to consent. An officer’s notes from the McAllen police station indicated the case was closed on those grounds.

Excerpts of Snapchat messages between Richardson and a former player were published, including a May 2023 message where Richardson expressed a desire to move beyond “only sex” once the player was independent. The mother of the former player, Maggie Gutierrez, spoke to the HSI investigator last week.

Richardson has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding the new federal probe or the previous reporting. The Department of Homeland Security stated it was “unable to confirm or deny any ongoing investigations,” while police in Pharr and McAllen did not respond to requests for comment regarding the HSI’s scrutiny of their previous decisions.