Timothy Ruth Charged With Sexual Assault of a Child Under 14; Facing Similar Charges in Mineral County

Timothy Ruth Charged With Sexual Assault of a Child Under 14; Facing Similar Charges in Mineral County

Timothy Ruth appeared by Zoom in New River Township Justice Court last week for an initial hearing on charges of Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 14, a Category A felony under Nevada law. Ruth is also reportedly facing similar charges in Mineral County, where he is currently in custody.

Justice Court Judge Peace Benjamin Trotter presided over the hearing and confirmed Ruth’s eligibility for court-appointed counsel. Ruth, who told the court he has no current income and jointly owns a single piece of property with his mother and ex-wife, was found indigent and qualified for a public defender.

“You’re not a multimillionaire owning houses and property and large bank accounts?” Judge Trotter asked. “No,” Ruth replied. “I don’t have anything other than just a piece of property right now.”

The Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer has been appointed to the case.

Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker noted that while Ruth’s appearance was originally scheduled as an arraignment, the state requested to reset the matter in order to coordinate with his defense counsel and proceed toward a potential global resolution involving both counties.

“He’s being held in Mineral County on very similar charges to the ones that are filed here,” Baker said. “We’re trying to do a global [resolution], but we need him to start the process and get appointed a public defender.”

Judge Trotter set a status hearing for Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Ruth was permitted to appear via Zoom.

No plea was entered, and bail was deferred pending the status conference.

All information in this report is based on court documents and public hearings. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.