Photo: San Diego Police Department
A San Diego police sergeant who was arrested for allegedly soliciting a minor for sex was found dead from an apparent suicide inside his apartment Monday, police say.
He was also arrested on suspicion of attempting to commit lewd acts with a child between the ages of 14 and 15, the outlets report.
He posted $100,000 bail on July 27.
When Ruvido failed to answer the door, “the decision was made to force entry into his apartment,” Nisleit said.
Once inside, he said, “officers found him deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. All signs, all indications are that this is a suicide,” Nisleit said.
“There are limited details at this time,” he said, adding that investigators are still looking for additional information and potential child victims.
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When a reporter asked the chief if the apparent suicide spoke to Ruvido’s “guilt or innocence,” he declined to answer, saying that the investigation is new and still open.
“Like many of you, I too, have many questions that remain unanswered,” he said.
Ruvido’s arrest came several weeks after the department received a tip on a Crime Stoppers line that identifies people soliciting sex from minors, theLos Angeles Timesreports.
Ruvido was put under 24-hour surveillance as authorities “fully” investigated the allegations, Nisleit said.
“Today I stand here as a very disappointed and embarrassed police chiefwho has to announce the arrest of one of our own,” he said at a press conference on July 27, NBC San Diego reported.
“I fully understand the actions of Sgt. Ruvido tarnished the badge and this department and this profession,” he said.
Ruvido lived alone, was single and had no children, Nisleit said.
Asked how Ruvido will be remembered and whether he would receive honors for his funeral, the chief replied, “That’s a tough question. He was a San Diego Police Officer for 21 years.”
Ruvido’s last assignment was as a sergeant in the watch commander’s office at police headquarters. Before that, he was a patrol sergeant.
source: people.com
