Policeman who raped 3 women was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment

A policeman from the Metropolitan police was sentenced today to 18 years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three teenagers, including two sisters, between May and June, 2008.

Juan Carlos Ruiz, who ironically was an officer in the Sex Crimes section, pleaded guilty to the assaults, and the Oral Criminal Court gave him the penalty ordered by the prosecutor.

The trial prosecutor, Marcelo Saint Jean, requested 18 years imprisonment, while the Ruiz’ defense requested 8 years, based on mitigating the circumstances.

Ruiz, 37, was convicted for kidnapping two sisters, aged 17 and 19, on June 2nd last year. He took them to the West Motorway (Autopista del Oeste), in Haedo, where he raped them, and then left them on General Paz highway.

Carmen, the mother of one of the victims, considered the sentence as “fair”, but she said that if it was up to her she would want that he was never released again.

“I was very nervous, I felt anger and pain. I trusted in justice, and I think overall it’s been fair. Actually, I would like him to stay in prison for life, but it’s ok,” said the woman to the Buenos Aires press.

She added: “Luckily enough, my daughter is well. It was hard for her to get over all this.”

According to the victim’s testimony, the man concealed his job as a policeman, but the girls noticed that when he passed through the toll booths on the highway, he showed his identity badge as a security officer.

The three girls met by chance, because they were all admitted to the Buenos Aires Santojanni hospital to receive the apprpriate medical care.