A judge in St. Johns County has set a $2 million bond for a Nashville man accused of sexual battery following an incident involving a woman in St. Augustine in November 2025.
According to an arrest affidavit, 51-year-old John Ryan Tyrrell and a friend met two women at a local bar. The victim reportedly told Tyrrell she had a boyfriend and was not interested in him romantically.
The affidavit states the victim later had little to no memory after visiting multiple bars. She and her friend attempted to order an Uber but ended up sharing a ride with Tyrrell and his friend. Investigators reviewed video from the ride, which reportedly shows the victim appearing heavily intoxicated, stumbling, and at one point falling out of the vehicle. Authorities said she and her friend appeared “highly intoxicated and/or drugged” and were unable to identify their destination.
The report alleges Tyrrell directed the Uber driver to take the group to an Airbnb in St. Augustine instead. Video reportedly shows him saying he might need to carry the victim inside. The victim was later seen appearing in and out of consciousness upon arrival.
Investigators say the victim later woke up to Tyrrell having sex with her and told him “no” before losing consciousness again. Additional footage from bars that night reportedly shows the victim becoming increasingly intoxicated and unsteady on her feet.
An Uber driver told investigators he was concerned for the victim and found the situation and age difference “odd.” Authorities also reported that Tyrrell and his friend cleaned the Airbnb before leaving earlier than scheduled.
Tyrrell left St. Augustine and flew back to Nashville after speaking with law enforcement, according to investigators. He was arrested on March 5, 2026. During a March 23 hearing, Judge Christopher Ferebee set bond at $2 million. He has been ordered to home confinement and must wear a GPS monitor.