A former Baton Rouge police lieutenant now finds himself on the other side of the law. Police have charged Paul Ruiz with distributing child pornography. Police Chief Jeff LeDuff released a statement just before 6:00 p.m. about the charges against one of his former officers. He says at this point, things are pretty much up to the justice system.
26-year veteran Paul Ruiz retired from the Baton Rouge Police Department back in March. Around that time, word of an FBI investigation of Ruiz surfaced. Thursday afternoon, U.S. Attorney David Dugas officially filed a Bill of Information, charging Ruiz with distribution of child pornography. "It's child pornography. It's distribution of child pornography, so it's distribution of images of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. I can't get into details other than what's in the charge against him," Dugas says.
Ruiz faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Dugas says the minimum time he could serve is five years. The former lieutenant might also have to come up with some serious cash. He's also possibly facing $250,000 in fines. Police Chief Jeff LeDuff had this to say about the charge. "These are very serious allegations, especially when they involve a former police officer. It's unfortunate and it's now up to the system to determine whatever justice is appropriate." Those comments came in the form of a released statement from the chief.
"He's not the first police officer we've prosecuted. This is the United States. No one is above the law. Ruiz's attorney filed a waiver of indictment. It states, "I (which is Ruiz) voluntarily waive my right to have the charge set forth in the Bill of Information presented to a grand jury... And agree that the proceedings may be instituted by a Bill of Information." WAFB legal analyst Julie Baxter says usually, when that happens, at the arraignment, the suspect would plead guilty to the charges stated on the Bill of Information. In this case, that's distribution of child porn.

Source: WAFB, Keitha Nelson
Photo: WAFB