On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received information that a dance instructor at Midcoast Dance Studio in Newcastle was allegedly involved in a sexual relationship with a female student who was 14 or 15 at the time.

The investigation revealed Ryan Morrill, 31, of North Monmouth was allegedly involved sexually with the teen for about 10 months. Ryan is a dance instructor at several other dance studios in Lewiston, Auburn, Thomaston, Winthrop and Augusta.

Morrill was arrested and charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Class C.  He was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset where bail was set at $1,000 cash.

This investigation in ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Ronald Rollins at 882-7332.

In a phone interview Saturday, Midcoast Dance Studio owner Faye Cain told the Wiscasset Newspaper Morrill had not been an employee; he had worked there as a contractor and the studio has no plans to have him back, Cain said. “The studio stands for wholesomeness, safety and nurturing, and this doesn’t go along with that,” she said, adding, “We’re praying for everyone.”