Celebrity Hairstylist Grilled After Teen Sex Sting Bust

How can you just say that you've been. waiting for hours, bro? What the. A Miami hairdresser found himself in the. hot seat after he was arrested for. allegedly sending graphic messages and. photos to a 15-year-old girl. >> She knew the hair appointment wasn't. today and that you don't pick up. clients. So that's why she assumed the. worst between you guys. And this. interrogation video shows his real-time. reaction as investigators lay out the. damning and disturbing evidence. We're.

going to make sure you see the biggest. moments as this case gets closer and. closer to trial. Welcome to Sidebar, presented by Law & Crime. I'm Jesse. Weber. So a hair stylist, formerly known for. taking care of high-end clients in Miami. and New York City, has gained a very. different reputation over the last 9. months. I'm talking about Ryan Pearl. He. was arrested last summer for allegedly. soliciting one of his teenage clients. for sex out in Florida. Now, we have.

gotten our hands on Pearl's. interrogation after his arrest. And I. will always say that this evidence, okay? This video evidence is so critical. in a criminal case for a jury to see. this because the way somebody responds, this point in time, how they say certain. things, it could be very, very. revealing, particularly if a defendant. takes the stand later on, right? And has. to explain how they said or what they. said in an interrogation. And again, these are allegations, he's innocent. until proven guilty. Now, before we even.

dig into that, I want to give you a. little bit of background on how we got. here, okay? Gives you some context. So. according to an arrest affidavit that. was filed with the court, the alleged. victim is a 15-year-old female, a client. of Pearl's, who met him when he first. styled her hair at age 13. NBC Miami. reports that Pearl worked out on Olan. Salon or Allan Salon in Miami. Now, after getting a report about. inappropriate behavior between the. alleged victim and Pearl, authorities. claim they were able to use the teen's. social media accounts to trick him into.

a meet-up. And within hours of that. catastrophic alleged decision, Pearl. would find himself locked inside a cold. interrogation room for hours, called to. account for his alleged actions. The. arrest report reads, quote, "On. Saturday, July 26th, 2025, the victim's. mother responded to the police. department to report inappropriate. conversation between her 15-year-old. daughter and the defendant via social. media platforms. The witness was. interviewed and explained to detectives. while she was home on Sunday at.

approximately 20:42 hours, she received. two Apple Wallet notifications. The. notifications were for two separate. transaction deposits from a phone number. sent directly to her daughter's account. She then asked her daughter who sent the. money and her daughter told her it was. from the hair stylist." Now, that. affidavit also includes really. disturbing graphic messages allegedly. sent by Pearl to the teen on Snapchat, apparently asking her for nude photos, questioning her about sexual. experiences, offering her money and.

gifts. And we'll get into more of the. specifics of those messages in just a. moment. And, you know, again, how maybe. compelling of evidence they could be. But the girl's mother spoke anonymously. with NBC Miami. Obviously, she doesn't. want to identify herself because then. the public would know who her daughter. is, right? So then the girl's mother. spoke anonymously with NBC Miami after. Pearl's arrest saying, "I was upset. I. was like sick in my stomach. I was so. disappointed, you know, like how could. this happen to my daughter? But I know. it happens every day. What is a. 37-year-old man doing asking a.

15-year-old girl, 'What size of shoe are. you? I want to make you happy. You're. pretty. Let's keep this between you and. me.' As soon as I saw that, I knew his. intention was to take advantage of my. daughter." You go back to the court. documents. So Pearl allegedly convinced. this girl to meet up with him. But. little did he know, by this point, he. was talking to an undercover officer. So. between the messages and Pearl allegedly. showing up to a location thinking a. 15-year-old would be there, investigators knew they had enough to. arrest and charge him. From the. affidavit, it reads, "On Wednesday, July.

30th, 2025, during an undercover. operation, the defendant drove to the. incident location provided by the. undercover detective with the intent to. pick up the victim to engage in sexual. activities. The defendant further. purchased electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, for the. victim's personal use. At approximately. 18:45 hours, the defendant arrived at. the incident location driving a 2021. light blue Mercedes-Benz S580. Records. check revealed the vehicle is registered. to the defendant." So another way to. identify him. "A felony stop was.

conducted on the vehicle by the City of. Miami Tactical Robbery Unit. The. defendant was identified as the driver. and sole occupant of the vehicle.". Meaning he wasn't dropping anybody else. off. "He was given verbal commands to. exit the vehicle and was taken into. custody." Now, we confirmed Pearl was. charged with use of a computer to. seduce, solicit, or lure a child to. engage in sexual conduct, traveling to. meet a minor for the purpose of sexual. contact, two counts of electronic. transmission of material that's harmful. to minors, and contributing to the. delinquency of a child. And also, he was.

apparently charged with possession of. cocaine after there was a search of his. car, but according to the Miami-Dade. County court docket, that charge appears. to have been dropped. So, before Pearl. was carted off to jail on July 30th, he. was left to stew over how much trouble. he might be inside of that interview. room. Let's go now to the videotape. Sir? Hi. You need the bathroom, water, anything? Some water. Water? Then. bathroom? I know you yelled, I couldn't. hear what you said. I'm just like. Frustrated? I know. Yeah, well, is.

someone coming in anytime soon or is. there a timeline? Yeah, we get you. water. What's your first What's your. first name, I think? Ryan Pearl. Ryan. Pearl. Mr. Pearl, can we get him water? What? Yeah, but Please, thank you. I got. to share some exciting news with you. For the first time, we are giving you. full access to the evidence. Uncover the. private phone calls, the crime scene. photos, and the raw interrogations that. broke infamous cases wide open. I'm Dan. Abrams, and I want to show you something. you can't find anywhere else. On Law &. Crime Plus, our case files give you.

exclusive access to the [music] evidence. vaults of today's most infamous cases. and breaking true crime stories. Actual. crime scene photos, surveillance. footage, court testimony. The cases. everyone's talking about with the depth. no one else provides. The facts are. here, the files are open. The. conclusions, those are yours to make. Download Law & Crime Plus and stream the. full [music] case files now. So if you. want to go beyond the headlines and. unlock the evidence and reach your own. verdict, check out our case files on Law. & Crime Plus now. And you can tell that.

there may have been some sort of. struggle between Pearl and the tactical. officers who arrested him. His white. T-shirt appears to be in a lot of rough. shape there, it's torn around the. collar. And the detective comes in, introduces herself, and basically drops. the bomb that someone has accused him of. sending inappropriate messages to a. 15-year-old. So Mr. Pearl, I'm Detective. Ferraro, okay? >> How are you? Hi. I know, not as good as. you are right now. Okay. I know what's going on. It's. frustrating, intimidating, um,

but. there is a lady that came to the police. station just shortly before we met with. you, and she made some allegations. against you, something that involved her. daughter. Okay. So it's just allegations. what we have right now. Okay. So. Yes, they are serious because. it's a minor and you're an adult, okay? Um, I always offer the person an. opportunity to explain themselves. If. you have a story to tell me, if you. don't, that's fine. Mhm. Then I just. have to take a little bit longer,

continue my investigation, and then I. make a determination what's going to. happen tonight, okay? Um, so it's all up to you. If you want. to talk to me today or if you don't want. to talk to me, it's your right, okay? >> that person? I can't talk to you until I. read you your rights. Okay. Okay? Usually what I do first, um, I just get basic information, first, last name, date of birth, any contact, a. phone number if I can reach you, um, up to you want to give me a home address. or not. I can search you up anyway.

Um, just basic stuff, um, and then Fergie, then you can ask me. anything you want, okay? Yeah, that's. fair? Yes. Let me get you water first, okay? Bathroom? Um, no, I'm okay at the moment. You're. okay? Thank you so much. Okay, I'll be. right back, okay? So then again, Pearl was left to. seemingly ponder just how much trouble. he could be in. But then the detective's. back. And I want you to pay attention to. how she speaks with Pearl, okay? Because. she builds up kind of this rapport with. him, chatting about things that they. have in common, including that they both. come from immigrant families, both lived.

in New Jersey for a time. This is very. strategic. This is a way to bring those. defenses down, get somebody to be. comfortable, maybe as a way for them to. admit something, be more open. Take a. look. >> Where do you work or what do you do for. a living? I'm a hairdresser. You're a. hairdresser? Yeah. You have your own, uh, business? Uh, just independent. I was Yeah? Yeah, about to start mine, actually. Oh, good. Oh, that's good for you. And how many years have you been doing. hair? Like I got out of high school when I was.

15. Here in Miami? Yeah. No, New Jersey? >> yeah. When I was 15, so I'm. What happened? Um, my I mean, my mom was I'm I'm just I'm. just saying, but my mom was very sick, had cancer three times, she couldn't. work. I didn't go to school, I couldn't. really. >> hear that. Yeah, no, it's okay. Um, shh, there wasn't much money, so I had. to choose staying in school or getting.

money for We were on like food stamps. and so it's So that was a Your. car's safe, okay? Yeah. Just wanted to. let you know. Um, so now, I have to ask you. >> My wallet and stuff, it's all in there, too. I just want Well, I think the. officer has it here. There's some stuff. of you of yours outside, yeah. Um, I have to ask you, don't get offended, okay? Yeah. Are you under the influences. of any drugs or alcohol right now? I. know I can see it, but I have to ask. you. I'm under the influence. >> drugs? This is Dasani water? Okay. Is it. good? You like cold water? Dasani is the.

best one, but Yeah, what What do you. drink? Yes? Why? I like the Coke. Mhm. Sorry, you should have told me. What is. 90 calories from it? I don't think I. have many selections. >> [laughter]. >> I appreciate anything. Thank you. I'm. just messing with. No bathroom yet? No, I'm good. Okay. Thank you. I have to say treated you well and I. gave you a water, okay? I don't have food, but I'm also hungry. No, you're good.

Okay, so yes, you're absolutely right. Um, maybe change you, okay? There are some. allegations that someone made against. you. >> Just question though. Really the the. detaining was there Was it necessary to. pull guns out on me? It's a safety process. I'm sorry. It's. our departmental orders. If they're. going to detain someone in a vehicle, we. don't know if you have any weapons. But, that's a question you're welcome to. >> she Oh, she. Whatever that that vehicle was crashed. into my car, so We take care of all of. that. Don't worry about that. After.

that, you can sit down with my. supervisor and we'll handle all that, okay? We don't just damage things just. because and leave you like that. Don't. worry about that. I know it's a nice car. It's a beautiful. car. >> Thank you very much. Okay, now they finally get down to what. we're talking about here. Why Pearl is. there. But, first, he has to decide. whether he's going to speak with her. In. order for me to ask you any questions, you have to agree to talk to me. Then after we start talking, I tell you. the allegations and then you can ask me.

any questions you want. I don't like lying. I'm going to tell. you the truth right now because I will. tell you later on that I did tell you. the truth. Um, and I just want to know. what's going on, okay? And I'm not here. to lie to you either. So, yes, if there. is a crime and we do. talk about it and anything. that the mom told me today. um, you agree to or you tell me yes, that's exactly what happened, then I'll. have to review everything that.

transpired between you guys and then I. will let you know what's going to happen. after that, okay? >> So, why am I staying here tonight? Can't. tell you that right now until we discuss. this cuz I need to know what you're. going to say to me, okay? Remember, one person has a story and the. other person has another story. >> Right. Um, this is the sexual battery. unit, so we do have always adults, men. and women, that come here and say. something. Doesn't necessarily mean. that we're going to believe everything. unless. there's something else to that, okay?

>> Right. So, again, it's all up to you. I'm not. here to lie to you, to convince you to. talk to me. You can talk to me, say yes, detective, I want to talk to you or no, detective, I don't want to talk to you. today and then I walk out and then I. gather everything, I talk to my. supervisor and then I make a decision, okay? Do you understand? I want to go home, too. You know how. long I've been here? Since 5:00 in the. morning. Okay. Um, do you.

wear glasses or anything? If I give you. the form, can you read it out loud for. me? Okay, and then at the end, it's question. one and question two and then. we'll see what we do, okay? I'll start from the top. I need to read. it out loud for me, okay? I need to make. sure that you understand. You want me to. read it out loud? >> Yes, please. You have the right to. remain silent. Anything. you can say will be used against you in. the court of law. You have the right to. talk to a lawyer for advice before you. ask any questions. You have the right to.

have an attorney with you during the. questioning. If you cannot afford to. hire an attorney, one will be appointed. to you. to represent. before any questioning. You can stop whenever. If you wish, sir. It's okay. >> decide at any time to exercise these. rights to not answer. or make any statements. And then, thanks for saying if yes or. no. Do you understand that each of these. rights I have explained to you? Do you.

Do you understand everything you read? >> Absolutely, yes. Okay. So, should I like to have a lawyer here? So, if you do have a lawyer, we can. within a reasonable amount of time, yes, I can reach out and have him come. within a reasonable amount of time. So, that means if they could be available in. the next hour, I can't keep you here for. so many hours, either. It's just like. that. So, within a reasonable time. We are in Downtown Maywood. >> Yeah, I don't have one, but You don't. offhand. I would have to make calls.

Okay. It's up to you. You don't have to. talk to me. If you want to talk to me, you can. If you don't want to talk to. me, I'm not going to trick you with any. questions. Just I wanted to tell you what the. allegations are so that you could tell. me what's going on. It's up to you. Okay. But, so you're saying that I couldn't. have a lawyer here. They would have to. be here at a certain time and I would. have to If you have a lawyer that you. want me to contact, like let's say, you. know, John Paul, I don't know, I'm just. giving you an example. Then I could just look him up and call.

him or I could bring you my work phone, you can call him. Right. And then it's. up to John Paul if he's going to respond. and be here with you and then if he says. no, then it's up to you if you want to. talk to me. today or not. So, what do you mean if I don't want to. talk to you today? If I don't want to. talk to you today, then what happens? >> Sir, I have questions to ask. >> No, I I I'm just I know. I'm just. exercising. >> Yeah, it's just questions I need to ask. you. I can't. >> that. can't just come and tell you, hey, they told me all of this. Are you going. to talk to me, yes or no? I already told.

you there are some serious allegations. that. a a a young lady reported in reference. to her daughter. It's um, something. transpired today. They had an argument. and that's where. they ended up coming over here and. that's where we are, okay? Okay. And that's why they gave me your name. and then that's what happened. Okay. You can ask me. Huh? You can ask me. They got to give me. permission here. It's okay. So, it's yes or no and then you sign and. then I sign.

And that's a yes, right? Yes, sir. Can. you. check it? Thank you. >> Yep. Witness. And just so we put the time and date. 7:30, right? Mhm.

Okay. Make the call. So, this young mom came in today. Her name. is Miss. Do you know who she is? And that's that I at the end that was. the. that I. Yes, she's 44 years old. She does have a daughter, okay? And apparently today they had an.

argument because. the daughter was coming to meet with you. and the mom didn't approve of that. So, I don't know if you guys had any plans. to hang out. If. she did mention to me that you guys have. a hair appointment. this week, I think, coming up. Um, so. the mom was what she told me that she. knew the hair appointment wasn't today. and that you don't pick up clients. So, that's why she assumed the worst between. you guys. And that's how everything.

started. Her daughter's name is. Are you familiar with her? >> Yeah, I know who. Okay, so. how. How did I meet her? >> Yes, how do you know her? Um, her. I guess it's her father's girlfriend's. I never met her father. I don't know.

Yeah, so her. >> So, it's the. Her father's girlfriend's? >> Girlfriend? Or girlfriend? >> Girlfriend. Sorry, yeah. Girlfriend. >> Girlfriend? Okay. That would be what, Miss. No. No? Somebody else? Do you remember who that person is? Uh, her name is She's She was a client of. mine and then she introduced me to Yeah. And who Uh, a child or an adult? >> Adult. Okay. Oh, that's right. She's the. girlfriend. Okay. I I don't know the the.

father. I don't know much of the family. Yeah. No, I understand. Girlfriend of. father. Okay. So, kind of like her stepmom. So, she introduced you to a. Right. And then she became your client. Yes, and then recently When did. When When was the first time you had her. as your client? >> ago, maybe. Okay, over a year ago. Okay. So, over in in in approximately 1 year, you've.

She's been your client how many times? Uh, we. two or three times. Okay. So, if you see. a picture of her, you would identify. her. You would know she is who she is. And okay, so, hair, what is it that you. do? Like, you cut hair, you style, you. Hair color, style, yeah. Hair coloring, hair cutting and hair styles. >> Yeah, I I don't hair cut, but I do hair. color and styling, yeah. Okay. Um, and. the mom said that she did drop her off.

one time. Do you remember the mom or no? >> Yes. Yeah, she actually made an appointment. with me. Okay, when are you supposed to. have her? I don't remember when it was, but my. assistant took the appointment. >> Okay. So, that's what's going on. So, okay. Yeah. What's going on with her? How do you communicate with her? What. were the plans today? Why cuz she was crying. So really you. know Yeah. >> hard for me to communicate with her. So.

what happened between you. today? Um well she. Well let's just start from the other day. the last time I saw her when the mom. came in. Okay. Right cuz they mentioned. that that's how that you you did her. hair recently, right? >> Right. So I did her hair recently. She. reached out to me saying like she had. her hair messed up in Dubai and she. wanted me to fix it. >> Okay. So she did her hair in Dubai and. was upset. Now I have to be clear about. something. For the next 25 minutes the. audio on that interrogation video that.

was provided to us by police is muted. It's not unusual. It's a way to protect. an investigation or a victim. particularly when you're talking about. someone this young. But we do see Pearl. making you know various hand motions. sometimes rubbing his eyes pulling his. torn t-shirt you know kind of up to. cover his face. And we maybe have a. pretty good idea of what they're talking. about during that time because you go to. the arrest affidavit as well as local. reporting. And according to NBC Miami. Pearl allegedly admitted to buying a. vape for this girl and asking her to be.

his girlfriend. He also allegedly. admitted to sending her nude photos of. himself and traveling to meet her. And. Pearl was also likely confronted with. some of the incredibly alleged graphic. messages he sent to this girl whose. social media accounts at this point were. being monitored by an undercover officer. purported messages like you're mad cool. and fun to talk to. Just didn't know you. cared that I said because I'm older. It's not that easy to get pregnant like. that. Maybe you will send me more. selfies now. Okay I'll bring you money.

too babe so you have money to do stuff. with your friends. And according to. Miami police Pearl had allegedly sent a. photo of himself wearing swimming trunks. and then multiple images of his. genitals. Quote I am very shy please. don't. Do you care that I'm 15? No sorry. I'm just new to this please don't get. mad. Pearl also reportedly sent a. message that he was 28 years old when he. was really 37. When the interrogation. audio resumes the detective's demeanor. has changed. Okay she's no longer.

friendly she's no longer accommodating. You can hear what could be described as. annoyance with him in her voice. >> I have to do my job too. >> But calling them would do what for me? I'm just saying so they could be aware. that you're getting arrested and they. could help you when you're over there. I'm giving you that. How could they help. me? Listen I'm I'm just I'm just curious. >> asking you if you want me to call. someone. That's it. You're asking me. questions I don't know the answer to. I. don't know. I'm not saying you have to. >> for the jail honey. I don't know. I know. but I'm just And I've never been.

arrested so I don't know. I know I'm. just. >> know. I'm being honest I don't know. Usually what I do is that I I get so I'm. getting arrested and I tell my brother. hey you know be ready I'm going to call. you from jail or. hey detective get a phone number from my. phone. I don't know my friend's number. and I could do that for you but that's. it. Like I can't make arrangements for. you. That's not what we we don't. offer that okay? Do you need bathroom break? The faster I. get out of here and do the paperwork the. faster all of this goes through. >> Yeah. Okay and I want you to see a judge. in the morning. Okay?

>> So I'm going to be there overnight? >> like a few hours. It's only only hours. okay? Just a few hours. Okay? A few hours it's. it's 7:00. No it's not. It's only 10:00 in the. morning. Right now? Mhm. Okay? Do you need a bathroom break? >> Please. Do you need more water than me? If I. need to call a friend but what about if. he doesn't answer? I could even message.

And then I could have them call me. You know? No family member anybody? Think. And. I'mma come back and then tell me. detective I know a name or a name okay? Again I'm just. offering okay? Thank you. Cuz then when. you get to the jail you don't have a. number to call because they have your. phones. Okay? Thanks. Now another officer comes to. take Pearl to the bathroom. And there is. yet another opportunity for him to talk. about his New York New Jersey roots. Do.

you need to be handcuffed to the front? Thank you brother I appreciate it. From New York? I am in What part of New. York? Brooklyn. Brooklyn? What part of. Brooklyn? Rockaway Beach. Ah. From Queens Jamaica. So he's uncuffed. when he gets back to the interview room. and this is where he sits and sits and. sits and at times he makes comments out. loud about his detention. How can you. just sit me in this.

room for hours for what the Bro. Freezing. So after about 3 hours Pearl. is there when an officer finally returns. to take him to jail. Right. Do me a. favor stand up for me for a second. Uh we're we're they're they're on the. way to try to get you a blanket or. something. Thank you so much. I know. Can you can you try to stand up?

I know this is just for our record. Just yeah. All right. This is just for for for our record. okay? Just put your hands down and look. straight ahead okay? All right. Do you have any questions. about any of where you're going to jail? Yeah. She was saying maybe I could try. to contact someone. Not from here right? When you get to the. jail you are allowed to make as many. calls as you want.

Even if I don't have the number can I. get a number? Where do you want to get. the number out of? My phone. Okay. Um. which one? Uh the black black phone. >> The black phone? Please. Okay. Give me a. second okay? Yeah. >> [snorts]. >> Okay. Now after his arrest on July 30th. Pearl was charged with those sex. offenses that I mentioned before. He was. held until a bond hearing the next day. and this is where he appeared before. Judge Mindy Glazer. Sir can you afford. to hire an attorney?

Um I'm not sure how much an attorney. would cost. Do you own your home? No I. don't. All right. I don't believe he qualified. Okay. You don't qualify. Yeah you have. um do you have the financial means to. hire an attorney? Um. so I it it would be hard cuz I I work on. commission base. Do you have any. savings? Not much no. All right. I'll. appoint the public defender's office for. you for purposes of this first. appearance hearing subject to financial.

verification. So I need a moment to review the arrest. affidavit for probable cause. All right. I had a chance to review the. arrest affidavit. So Miss Byers what do. you want to say anything? Yes your honor based on the four corners. of the A form the state would be. requesting an extremely elevated bond. Um this is a concern that we. we are having with regards to the. defendant both for the safety of the. victim in this case. This is someone he. has known since she was 13 years old. She is now 15 so he's at least known her.

for 2 years knows her travels knows her. whereabouts. We are concerned for the. safety of the community specifically the. victim. We would be requesting an. elevated bond in the amount of $500,000. with a GPS total lockdown component. Um. your honor the state is also concerned. that this defendant is in fact a flight. risk as your honor mentioned before. he is originally from New Jersey and it. appears he has clients all over the. United States. So um it's our concern. based on the information that we have. that he would he does travel to do the.

hair and the hair stylist for I guess A. list celebrities. So it's our concern. that he has the means to travel outside. of the state of Florida and um. He's going to travel to cut hair? Yes your honor in Florida. >> hair. So how is that a danger to the. community? Well considering that his. clients can range from apparently 13. year olds to whatever age we are. concerned that the same way that he was. engaging in sending photos of his penis. to this third or 15 year old girl and. attempting to pay her for sex or.

attempting to gift her items and also. ask for sex we are concerned that he may. have other clients that are underage. that unfortunately may be subjected to. the same kind of behavior by this. defendant. >> Okay. Thank you. Miss Corey did you want. to say anything? Judge Mr. Pearl has no objection to only. having adult clients. That's not an. issue for him judge. So the judge. lowered Pearl's bond to $25,000 which. apparently he posted. As part of his.

release he's not allowed to have any. contact with the alleged victim. According to the Miami-Dade County court. docket Pearl could be back in court as. soon as April 1st. We will see what role. this interrogation video may play at an. upcoming trial. That's all we have for. you right now here on Sidebar. Everybody. thank you so much for joining us and as. always please subscribe on YouTube Apple. [music] Podcasts Spotify wherever you. get your podcasts. You can also check us. out on NBC's Peacock as well. If you. want to follow me X [music] Instagram on. NewsNation show Jesse Weber live Monday. through Friday 11:00 p.m. Eastern. I'll.

see you next time everybody.