Juan Antonio Ruiz, 47, a naturalized citizen of the United States, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Tucson. The indictment, handed down on March 18, 2025, accuses Ruiz of committing naturalization fraud.
The indictment alleges that Ruiz, upon applying for citizenship in June 2015, falsely answered "no" when asked if he had ever committed a crime for which he had not been arrested. This misrepresentation is significant, as he was later arrested in May 2018 for crimes of a serious nature.
According to court records, Ruiz's arrest in 2018 was related to charges of Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under Fifteen occurring between January 17, 2004, and January 16, 2008. He faced additional charges for Attempted Molestation of a Child, alleged to have taken place between September 9, 2003, and September 8, 2006. In 2021, Ruiz pleaded guilty to these charges in the Superior Court of Arizona, Pima County, under Case Number 20182491-001.
The penalties for naturalization fraud can be severe, including a potential maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000. Additionally, a conviction may result in the loss of citizenship and cancellation of the naturalization certificate.
The indictment process does not imply guilt. Each accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty through evidence presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation into this case was led by Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Sydney Yew, from the District of Arizona, Phoenix.