Man arrested for child sex abuse indicted for naturalization fraud in Arizona

PHOENIX – A man arrested for child sex abuse was indicted for naturalization fraud by a federal grand jury in Tucson on Tuesday, authorities announced.

Juan Ruiz, 47, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in June 2015 and falsely answered “no” to questions about any crimes he had committed but not been arrested for, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He allegedly answered “no” during his application for citizenship, his interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and his naturalization oath ceremony.

Ruiz was later arrested in 2018 for Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under 15 and Attempted Molestation of a Child. He allegedly committed those crimes between September 2003 and January 2008. He pleaded guilty to those charges in 2021 in the Superior Court of Arizona.

Ruiz faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, loss of citizenship and cancellation of his naturalization certificate.

Homeland Security Investigations handled the investigation, while Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sydney Yew is overseeing Ruiz’s prosecution.

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