Juan Mateo Ruiz, 32, was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison today for one count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. He was found guilty at trial in September.
In early 2018, Ruiz met a child in Fort Myers after she left her school bus stop. He started a conversation with the girl, who is in middle school. He continued talking to her for several weeks and then invited the child to his home and had sexual relations with her.
A family member of the girl saw Ruiz with the child on a street and told the child’s mother. Her mother contacted the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Their Special Victims Unit investigated the case, leading to an arrest.
Assistant State Attorney Michael Colombo Jr. prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125