Alleged member of ‘juvenile gang’ arrested on assault, graffiti charges in Provo

PROVO, Utah (ABC4) — An alleged member of a “juvenile gang” was charged in Provo for assault, graffiti, and drug charges on Memorial Day.

Ryker Karner, 18, was arrested on six charges, including aggravated assault with gang enhancement, a second-degree felony; two counts of defacement by graffiti with gang enhancements, both class A misdemeanors; one count of riot, a class B misdemeanor; one count of possession or use of controlled substance – marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and one count of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor.

According to court documents, police determined that Karner was connected to gang-related graffiti in Provo through a social media post. Three people, including Karner, were seen in the post. Investigators spoke with the mother of a juvenile in the social media post, and his mother gave police permission to look through his phone.

“Officers found a group chat on Instagram […] to which the defendant had sent photos of himself in front of the graffiti,” documents said.

Court documents also allege that Karner was involved in a fight between 20 people from both his gang and an apparent rival gang. Karner was reportedly recognized by a rival gang member.

On May 13, police searched Karner’s residence and found “drug and gang paraphernalia.” Officials also searched his phone and found several videos of him spray-painting a fence with other people, and another video showed Karner and one other rapping one of Karner’s songs.

On Karner’s phone, police also found videos related to the gang fight, as well as a screenshot of a conversation referring to the fight.

Karner was involved in several incidents between March and April 2025. Charges were filed against Karner on May 26.