SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. – A southern Indiana father was able to capture a “child predator” who contacted his 13-year-old child on Facebook, according to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Jerry Goodin says the dad was checking his child’s Facebook when he noticed 29-year-old Brandon Ruff making contact with the child.
By pretending to be his child, Sheriff Goodin says the dad was able to get Ruff to come to the family’s home in rural Scott County to meet who he though was the 13-year-old. When Ruff arrived on Wednesday, he was met by the father, who held him until deputies arrived.
When officers arrested Ruff, the sheriff says they investigated further and found out he had made friends with the child and had allegedly made arrangements to meet on prior occasions.
Ruff was arrested on charges of false informing, child solicitation, and child molestation with a child under 14 years old using a computer and travelling to the child.
Investigators are looking into the possibility of other victims. The sheriff’s office is urging parents to check their children’s Facebook pages, especially messenger, to see if their children have had contact with Ruff.
The sheriff says Ruff also had a fake Facebook page listed as Sammy Castro. It is thought Ruff could be posing as a wrestler to gain the confidence of the children.
Anyone who feels their child could be a victim and lives in Scott County should contact the sheriff’s office at 812-752-8400 or 812-752-5550. Those who live outside Scott County should contact Indiana State Police at Sellersburg at 812-246-5424.
