Sunday, December 28, 2025
19.0°F

Police: Sex offender didn’t update info, again

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 4 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
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. | August 11, 2021 1:07 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — A sex offender could face life in prison after police said he failed to update his registration — again.

Anthony J. Ruiz, 23, of Post Falls, is charged with six counts of failure to update registration information, all felonies. Prosecutors also filed a persistent violator enhancement.

Ruiz pleaded guilty to battery with intent to commit rape in 2019, for which he was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 100 hours of community service.

He was also placed on probation for three years.

Sex offenders in Idaho are required to notify the county sheriff’s office within two business days of any changes to their address, contact information, employment or vehicle information.

Police said an investigation showed that Ruiz repeatedly changed jobs and residences between February and June 2021 without notifying the sheriff’s office.

He also allegedly changed his phone number without giving proper notification.

Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies arrested Ruiz on Monday night.

This is the third time Ruiz has been charged with failure to update registration information.

In 2020, he was convicted of one count of the same charge.

He was charged again with failure to update registration information in April 2021, when he reportedly purchased and registered a vehicle and did not notify the sheriff’s office.

Ruiz pleaded guilty in late July and was released on his own recognizance ahead of his sentencing, which is scheduled for October.

Prosecutors said in court Tuesday that the state’s patience for Ruiz’s alleged violations “is growing very thin.”

Judge Patrick McFadden ordered that Ruiz be held on $25,000 bail.

Failure to update registration information is a felony in Idaho, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Any person convicted of a third or subsequent felony can face up to a life sentence.

ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH

December 25, 2025 1 a.m.

Rathdrum police seek victims amid burglary investigation

Rathdrum police arrested a suspect Tuesday who they believe to be involved in multiple burglaries, according to a news release.

BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year
December 25, 2025 1 a.m.

BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year

The annual migration of bald eagles to Lake Coeur d’Alene to feed on spawning kokanee is past its peak, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

North Idaho ski areas open after slow start
December 24, 2025 1 a.m.

North Idaho ski areas open after slow start

Amid challenges like warm temperatures and strong winds that caused power outages across the region, all three ski areas in North Idaho are open, though operations are limited in some cases.