James Christopher Ruiz, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Texas 2024

A 28-year-old man from McAllen, Texas, has been sent to prison for 25 years after pleading guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

James Christopher Ruiz, 28, was sentenced to 300 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton. The court heard additional information, including testimony from the victim's mother detailing significant trauma the victim is dealing with and how this crime has negatively impacted not just the victim, but everyone in her family.

At the hearing, the court addressed the victim and informed her that there was nothing wrong with or bad about her and she did not bring this upon herself. The court explained that all the blame lies with Ruiz, who will also serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term.

During that time, Ruiz will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

In August 2023, law enforcement learned that Ruiz had been communicating with a 12-year-old minor online. The investigation revealed that he had been chatting with the victim from June to July 2022 via Discord.

Ruiz knew the minor victim was only 12 years of age. During their conversations, Ruiz sent sexually explicit photos and videos to the minor and enticed the victim to send nude images of her breasts and genitals on multiple occasions. He also explained what masturbating was and persuaded her to send videos of her doing so.

Ruiz admitted to communicating with other minors via Discord and virtual reality. He said he would tell the minor females to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves and instructed them on what to do.

Ruiz has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the New Castle County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Defendant: James Christopher Ruiz

Criminal Charges: Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

City and State: McAllen, Texas

Exact Date: September 10, 2024 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: 300 months in prison, supervised release for the rest of his life, and registration as a sex offender

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/mcallen-resident-sentenced-25-years-using-communication-app-entice-minor