Probable cause: Mercy athletic trainer sexually abused second Carthage High School student

 A Mercy athletic trainer who was charged a week ago with two felony counts of sexual contact with a student faces charges in connection with a second Carthage High School student.

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed two more felony counts against Ryan Keith Palmer, 53, Carthage- first-degree sexual abuse and sex with a student.

From the probable cause statement:

On May 6, 2026, the Carthage Police Department conducted an investigation into Ryan Palmer, an athletic trainer assigned to the Carthage R-9 School District. Palmer was employed through Mercy Health, an entity contracted to provide athletic training services to the school district.

After Palmer's initial arrest, Carthage detectives received information regarding additional possible victims. On May 10, 2026, detectives initiated a subsequent investigation and learned of Juvenile Victim 1, a student at Carthage High School who was under the age of 18.

During a forensic interview, the Juvenile Victim disclosed that Palmer removed her from class under the pretense of providing treatment for a reported back injury and took her to the training room, where she was alone with him.

Juvenile Victim 1 stated Palmer then touched her thighs, placed his hand underneath her shorts, and touched her private area/vagina.

Based on the disclosure, the touching described by the Juvenile Victim was not consistent with legitimate or necessary medical treatment that she had previously received or needed to receive, and the circumstances support that the contact was for Palmer's sexual gratification.

The probable cause statement also indicates that more charges may be coming against Palmer.

The defendant Ryan Palmer poses a substantial other person based on the nature and circumstances of the offenses. The defendant Ryan Palmer poses a substantial and ongoing danger to the community, particularly to juvenile students. 

The investigation has developed evidence of a prior victim as well as additional potential victims, demonstrating an apparent pattern of conduct rather than an isolated event. Palmer used his employment-related access to student-athletes to isolate a juvenile victim in a private school training room under the pretense of treatment, and the victim disclosed sexual contact that was not legitimate
or necessary medical care. 

Based on the nature of the offense, the defendant's position of trust, his access to minors, and the existence of multiple victims or potential victims. The defendant is currently being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond in Jasper County in reference to case number 26AO-CR00258.

Jasper County Circuit Court online records indicate Palmer also has a $50,000 bond on the latest case.

The case was investigated by the Carthage Police Department.

Information about the original charge against Palmer can be found at the link below.

 

Mercy Athletic trainer pleads not guilty to sex charge involving Carthage High School student