A high-profile hairstylist has been taken into custody after a secret police officer accused him of pursuing sexual relations with a 15-year-old client at a luxury salon in Florida.
Ryan Pearl, who has styled hair for celebrities like Haley Bieber, Jake Paul, and Sophie Turner from “Game of Thrones,” was arrested on Wednesday night in Coconut Grove, near downtown Miami.
This New Jersey-based stylist was apprehended after allegedly trying to meet up with someone he believed to be a minor, who was actually an undercover officer posing as a teenager.
The investigation into Pearl began when the victim’s mother discovered unexpected transactions in her daughter’s Apple Wallet and alarming text exchanges between the stylist and her daughter, as reported.
Details emerged that during monitored conversations, Pearl made explicit remarks and sent sexual images, demonstrating a clear understanding that he was communicating with someone underage.
This troubling interaction reportedly started two years prior, when the girl was just 13 years old.
The victim’s mother expressed her outrage, noting that she couldn’t believe someone with Pearl’s reputation could act in such an unprofessional manner, especially given the lush environment of the salon where he worked.
Authorities took control of the teenager’s phone and claimed they found that Pearl sent nude photos while on his couch.
In an alarming exchange, the undercover officer responded to one of the nude photos by asking about the age difference: “I’m not very shy. Don’t you care that I’m 15? How old are you?”
When Pearl was arrested, he was allegedly in possession of pink cocaine, condoms, and vaping devices.
The stylist, who is affiliated with Redken, faces multiple charges, including possession of cocaine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, using a computer for seduction purposes, and traveling to meet a child for illicit activities.
Pearl has been booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Centre and has a bond set at $26,000.
With over 117,000 followers on Instagram, Pearl often showcased his celebrity clientele and hairstyling expertise on his profile. He worked at an Orin Salon in Miami and charged clients between $200 and $650 for hair coloring services.
One of his notable styles was Haley Bieber’s bubble gum pink bob from the 2018 Met Gala.
