Ruth Pleads Guilty in Child Sexual Assault/Exploitation Case

Timothy Raymond Ruth, in custody, appeared in the Tenth Judicial District on July 29 before Judge Thomas Stockard. Ruth pleaded guilty to two Category A Felonies: Count I, Sexual Assault of a Child Under 14 which punishable by a mandatory to life in prison term, with the possibility of parole after 35 years; and Count II, Unlawful Use of a Minor Less than 14 Years of Age in Produce Pornography or as the Subject of a Sexual Portrayal in Performance, punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000.

CCPD Jacob Sommer stated that Ruth was initially charged with seven counts in Churchill County and 24 counts in Mineral County. In Churchill, the arresting charges included four counts of Sexual Assault Against a Child Under 14, one count of Coercion with Physical Force or Threat of Immediate Physical Force, and one count of Use or Permit Minor Under Age 14 to Produce Pornography, and more. 

Court documents indicate that the alleged sexual assault occurred between December 2012 and December 2013 and the Child Exploitation (Pornography) offenses occurred between April 2019 and August 2021, in which Ruth is alleged to have knowingly used or permitted a child, who was four to six years of age at the time, to engage in sexually related acts that was used in exploitative photograph(s).

The plea resolves all charges in both jurisdictions. Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for October 14.

All information in this report is based on court documents and public hearings. Defendants are presumed innocent until they plead guilty or are found guilty at trial by a judge or jury.