Columbus Sex Offender Facing Felony for Registry Violation

COLUMBUS - A Columbus sex offender is back in court, and facing a felony, after violating the terms of the sex offender registry act. Ismael Ruiz, 26, is facing the felony charge, after police say he failed to properly check-in with authorities and report where he was residing. Police state in an arrest affidavit that they received information, that Ruiz was no longer living at his residence on 3rd Street, and had instead been living at a resident on the 1600 block of 19th Street. An officer says he made contact with Ruiz, who was working on a vehicle in the driveway of the 19th Street residence. Ruiz told the officer that he had been spending a lot of time at the residence, but says he had been homeless and living out of his car, according to the affidavit. Ruiz registered that he was transient, but had failed to check-in with authorities every 30 days, which is required by law, until the registered sex offender finds a new permanent address, says court records. The officer says he made contact with Ruiz on August 11th, and states that by September 13th, Ruiz had still not checked-in with authorities regarding his residential status. Court records state, Ruiz was convicted of 3rd degree sexual assault back in 2013, in a case involving a 14-year-old. Ruiz faces a class 3a felony charge of violating the sex offender registry, and is scheduled for a status on felony hearing on November 15th, says court records.