Child Molester Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Documenting Sexual Abuse and Sending Photos to Other Pedophiles

RIVERSIDE, CA—An Inland Empire man who molested at least three children, photographed the abuse, and traded those images over the Internet with other pedophiles was sentenced this morning to 25 years in federal prison.

Peter Ruiz, 33, of San Bernardino, who was described by prosecutors in court papers as a “ruthless predator,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips.

In 2009 and 2010, Ruiz repeatedly molested a boy who lived in an apartment near where Ruiz resided with his family. Ruiz documented the abuse with photographs and videos, which he distributed to pedophiles, sometimes in exchange for money. When authorities searched Ruiz’s computer on Halloween in 2010, they discovered more than 6,000 images and over 600 videos of child pornography, which included images of Ruiz molesting the then-12-year-old victim.

Ruiz pleaded guilty on October 23, 2012, to one count of production of child pornography.

In addition to the molestation of his neighbor, Ruiz also sexually abused two other boys, who were 9 and 10 when they were attacked. Ruiz groomed all of his victims with small gifts and access to video games, according to prosecutors.

“Ruiz sexually abused at least three children, nearly destroying them and their families in the process,” federal prosecutors wrote in a document filed in relation to today’s sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo that Ruiz “appears to show no remorse for his crimes.” Ruiz maintains a “brazen and nonchalant attitude toward his abuse of children...bragg[ing] about these sexual exploits to a fellow inmate.” Ruiz developed a pattern of “grooming his victim[s], professing his love for them, and eventually intimidating them into keeping silent,” prosecutors wrote.

The case against Ruiz is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.