Chief Tyson Kerr-Sterling Police Department
In late 2023, Sterling Police began investigating Cybertips from the National Center for
Missing and Endangered Children (NCMEC) indicating that an individual in the Sterling
area had recently uploaded images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). A subsequent
investigation over the next several months identified the suspect as Benjamin Levi Ruiz of
Sterling. Ruiz is known to investigators as a felon who had been previously convicted of
the sexual exploitation of children.
Further investigation led investigators to obtain a search warrant for 501 State Street in
Sterling. On March 22, 2024, an operation was conducted to serve the search warrant
utilizing the Sterling Police Department Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.) and Sterling
Police investigators. At the outset of the operation, Ruiz ran from officers and was
subsequently arrested for obstruction. The search warrant was executed, and numerous
electronic devices were seized. On March 26, 2024, an arrest warrant was obtained for
Ruiz.
On March 27, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Sterling Police Department S.E.T. team
was again utilized to serve an additional search warrant at 501 State St., where they
contacted and took Ruiz into custody without incident.
This identified suspect has been arrested and charged with the following:
1. Benjamin Levi Ruiz D.O.B. 07/23/1988
C.R.S 18-6-403(3)(b) Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Distribution) 4 Counts - F3
C.R.S 18-6-403(3)(b.5)(I) Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Images) 70 Counts - F4
C.R.S 18-6-403(3)(b.5)(II) Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Videos) 30 Counts - F4
As this investigation continues, more charges are expected.