Police: Ruffs Dale man accused in sex crimes used fire department’s credit card to fuel up
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A Ruffs Dale man awaiting trial on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl over several months last year was accused by state police this week of using an area fire department’s credit card to buy $2,627 in gas for his personal vehicle.
Derek A. Ruth, 27, who was arrested by state police last month on multiple sexual assault complaints involving a minor, was arraigned on charges of access device fraud, also filed by state police, before District Judge Charles Moore Monday.
Trooper Daniel Campbell alleges in court documents that Ruth had a gasoline credit card in May in conjunction with being a volunteer firefighter at the East Huntingdon Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Campbell reported that officers discovered Ruth has used the card for personal purchases at multiple gas stations in the area. Troopers obtained surveillance tapes of Ruth using the card, according to Campbell.
Ruth was interviewed by Campbell at the Westmoreland County Prison, where he has been held after failing to post $50,000 bail since his July arrest on the sexual assault charges, and admitted using the department’s credit card.
On Aug. 7, Ruth waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Moore on charges of aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of minors, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and photographing sexual acts with a minor also filed by state police.
Trooper Keith Sobecki reported that troopers began investigating the alleged assaults in 2018 after the girl’s mother discovered explicit messages sent via social media between her daughter and Ruth.
Moore scheduled a preliminary hearing on the access device fraud complaint for Sept. 18.