Soccer coach who ran away with Florida teen returning from NY

LAKE CITY, Fla. – A Columbia County high school soccer coach who ran away with a 17-year-old student is being transported from custody in Syracuse, New York, to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office in Florida.

Rian Rodriguez, 27, is expected to be brought to Columbia County jail some time within the next two weeks. The transporting company Columbia County contracts with has that long to return Rodriguez to the county after he was picked up Monday.

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Columbia County authorities could not release specifics but said it will likely be several days, at least, before Rodriguez is in their jail. They said the bus Rodriguez is on will likely make stops at several jails, picking up other inmates for transport along the way.

Rodriguez is charged with interference with child custody, a third-degree felony, but authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges. 

The Onondaga County Justice Center confirmed the release of Rodriguez through an emailed notification.

Rodriguez and Caitlyn Frisina were at the center of a nationwide search after the teen ran away from home last month. Authorities located the pair near Syracuse on Dec. 1.

A friend of Frisina's said the teen, a Fort White High soccer player, was in a relationship with Rodriguez, who was the assistant coach for the boys team, court documents show.

Rodriguez reportedly had started a new job in New York to fund his travels with Frisina. Police said he intended to save some money to buy bogus credentials so the two could leave the country.