Full Notification

Location: City of Ojai

Dates: December 22, 2009

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Department / Ojai Substation Detectives

Suspect, City of Residence, Age:

1. Ru Rupp, Oak View, 18 years old
2. Charles Rodriguez, Oak View 20, years old

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department’s Ojai detectives and patrol deputies concluded an investigation into a child abuse case in which one suspect kicked a four-year-old male child in the groin while another suspect videotaped it. The investigation started when a patrol deputy was given a found cellular phone. When the deputy attempted to identify the owner of the phone, he located a video in the phone showing a four-year-old male child being kicked in the groin by an adult male. The child abuse case occurred in December of 2009, but was not reported until the deputy uncovered the video.

During the investigation, the two suspects were identified and ultimately arrested for 273a(a) – Child Abuse. At this time, the suspects are in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Officer Preparing Release: Detective M. Burgess
Follow-up Contact: Detectives M. Burgess or S. Michalec (805) 646-1414
Date of Release: March 24, 2010
Approved By: Captain Chris Dunn