A Vero Beach man, Matthew Ryan Reilly, 29, is currently in custody facing serious allegations that he used both money and threats to solicit sexual acts from a minor. Reilly, associated with Art-Kraft Sign Company in Palm Bay, is charged with four counts of sexual battery by threats of retaliation and lewd or lascivious molestation, as reported by CBS12.
According to the Palm Bay Police Department's affidavit obtained by CBS12, between June 2024 and this January, Reilly reportedly threatened to kill himself or ruin the minor's career if they exposed the ongoing abuse, the affidavit details unnerving reports of sexual encounters within Reilly's office and the "laser room" at the sign company, the young male victim was apparently coaxed into providing sexually explicit photos and videos through Snapchat in exchange for substantial sums of money believing Reilly's threatening promises.
Evidence of Reilly's exploitation came to light after the minor, who worked under Reilly as an apprentice, submitted a harrowing account of the abuse to detectives on January 7. A fellow co-worker also corroborated these claims by recounting witnessed instances of Reilly's inappropriate conduct, the victim's guardian had noticed new, expensive gifts from Reilly—further confirming his use of wealth and influence to manipulate. Adding to the case's severity is a recorded phone conversation wherein Reilly is heard discussing the abuse, imploring the victim for discretion.
Reilly has been arrested without bail, as confirmed by an Instagram post from Florida Scanner, by now he faces multiple counts of sexual battery and one count of lewd or lascivious molestation with no bond set; if there are others who have information or may have been affected, they are encouraged to contact the Palm Bay Police Department, according to the same source, the current charges reflect Reilly's alleged coercion of victims who are both over 12 but younger than 18 and children under the age of 12.
