Police: Sex offender failed to update information
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 5 months AGO
Ruiz
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 7, 2021 1:00 AM
POST FALLS — A registered sex offender could face life in prison after police said he failed to update his information.
Anthony J. Ruiz, 23, of Post Falls, is charged with failure to update registration information, a felony. Prosecutors also filed a persistent violator enhancement.
Sex offenders in Idaho are required to immediately notify the county sheriff’s office of any changes in their vehicle information.
Police said Ruiz purchased and registered a vehicle in March and did not notify the sheriff’s office.
When contacted by police, Ruiz allegedly said he did not see the need to notify the sheriff’s office because the vehicle was inoperable.
However, police said the vehicle appeared to be in driving condition. Further, Idaho code does not make an exception for cars that are not drivable.
Police arrested Ruiz on Saturday.
Judge Mayli Walsh ordered Monday that Ruiz be held on $5,000 bail.
Ruiz has two previous felony convictions in Kootenai County. He was convicted of battery with intent to commit rape in 2019 and of failure to update registration information in 2020.
In Idaho, a third felony conviction is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum life in prison.
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