Leanna Lehman
Timothy Raymond Ruth, in custody, appeared for sentencing in the Tenth Judicial District Court Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, before Judge Stockard on two counts: (I) Sexual Assault on a Child Under the Age of 14 and (II) Unlawful Use of a Minor Less than 14 Years of Age in Producing Pornography, or as a Subject of Sexual Portrayal in Performance. Both charges are Category A felonies, with the sexual assault offense punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years, and the child exploitation offense carrying a minimum penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years.
Court documents alleged that sexual assaults occurred between December 2012 and December 2013, and the child exploitation (pornography) offenses occurred between April 2019 and August 2021, in which Ruth was alleged to have knowingly used or permitted a child to engage in sexually related acts that were used in exploitative photograph(s).
During arguments for sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker told the court that the two victims involved were as young as four when the abuse began. Further, Ruth took photographs of the abuse, which constituted child exploitation. Baker, who described the scope of the abuse in depth, asked for the maximum penalty for each count.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer expressed Ruth’s desire to take responsibility and not put the victims through extended court hearings by going to trial. Ruth declined to comment when asked if he had anything to say before Judge Stockard delivered the sentence.
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. In accordance with the terms of the plea, Ruth pleaded guilty to both counts on July 29, 2025, which resolved all charges in both counties.
In many cases, plea agreements reduce charges as part of a plea negotiation due to a combination of legal and practical factors. In some cases, challenges with evidence—such as lack of physical proof or the emotional difficulty of securing victim testimony—can make it difficult for the prosecution to proceed to trial on more serious charges. Prosecutors may also consider the defendant's willingness to accept responsibility, his lack of serious prior convictions, and any efforts toward rehabilitation when offering a plea agreement.
Judge Stockard pronounced Ruth guilty and sentenced him to life in prison with parole eligibility after 35 years on Count I, and a consecutive sentence of life with parole eligibility after 10 years on Count II. Ruth will serve a minimum sentence of 45 years to life in prison. He received 369 days of credit for time served. Upon his release from prison, he must register as a sex offender within 48 hours and will be subject to lifetime supervision.
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.
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