Man sent to prison for sex acts with family member

Beniluis Ruiz didn't say he is sorry. He expressed no regret or remorse. Convicted by a jury of 12 Genesee County residents of sex abuse, Ruiz told Judge Robert C. Noonan at his sentencing that he wanted to return to work and his family life.

Noonan acknowledged that Ruiz continues to profess his innocence, but said based on the jury conviction and the evidence he heard during the trial in May, Ruiz needed to go to prison, so he ordered him locked away for four years.

Ruiz, of Pavilion, was convicted of sexual abuse, 1st, criminal sexual act, 2nd, rape, 2nd, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful dealing with a child.

According to statements by ADA Kevin Finnell, Ruiz introduced a female relative to cigarettes and liquor and took advantage of her when she was drinking. He called the 40-year-old Ruiz dangerous and said he would take advantage of other teenage girls if given the chance.

As a result of being victimized, the teenager returned to Puerto Rico to live with her mother rather than continue her education in Genesee County.

As part of restitution, there was a request to order Ruiz to pay for a quality education for her in Puerto Rico, but Noonan agreed with the defense attorney that the issue should be taken up in Family Court.

There were dozens of letters of support for Ruiz and his attorney noted that his wife continues to stand by him, but Finnell said he's often observed that sexual predators are able to lead dual lives.

"I'm not surprised by the numbers of letters attached to (the pre-sentencing report)," Finnell said. "I've often seen defendants able to present two faces. One a public face and one a private face. Whether people don't want to believe the charges are true even after a jury conviction, or if he has somehow convinced them he didn't commit these acts, a jury was convinced he committed these crimes against (the family member)."