Herbert Ruiz, 19, of New Jersey was taken into custody back in May during a joint raid at his home coordinated by Bergen County SWAT and Carson City detectives on charges relating to producing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Initially, due to a law stating individuals who are accused of committing crimes while they were still juveniles cannot have their names announced publicly, Ruiz’s name was stricken.
However, according to Sheriff Ken Furlong, Ruiz has now been adjudicated as an adult and his name is releasable.
Ruiz faced charges of coercing a minor of sending explicit photos and videos of themselves. Now, while still in custody at the Carson City Jail, he is facing several additional charges relating to similar crimes, and with additional victims.
Ruiz faces:
- Three counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 14
- Four counts of use of a minor under the age of 14 as the subject in a sexual portrayal
- One count of child abuse
These new charges include an additional bail amount of $740,000.
Information regarding his initial arrest are as follows courtesy of a Carson City Sheriff’s Office press release issued May 28, 2025:
In March 2024, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the production of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) by a suspect utilizing a social media platform. Throughout the course of this investigation, Hebert A. Ruiz of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey (picture attached) was identified as a suspect, who coerced a Carson City juvenile into producing CSAM.
On May 28, 2025, CCSO Detectives traveled to New Jersey and with the assistance of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office; Cyber Crimes Unit and the Bergen County Regional SWAT team, a search warrant was executed on Hebert’s residence, where Herbet was located. CCSO Detectives developed probable cause, and an arrest warrant was issued for Herbert’s arrest. Hebert was booked into the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center on the following charges and is being held without bail.
- Use of a Minor in Producing Pornography: Category A Felony
- Child Abuse as a result of Exploitation: Category A Felony
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office; Cyber Crimes Unit, and the Bergen County Regional SWAT team for their assistance with this investigation.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is a part of the region’s fight against child exploitation by dedicating a Detective to the Northern Nevada ICAC Task Force.
These cybercrimes are investigated closely with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
