Police: Sex offender failed to update information

POST FALLS — A registered sex offender could face life in prison after police said he failed to update his information.

Anthony J. Ruiz, 23, of Post Falls, is charged with failure to update registration information, a felony. Prosecutors also filed a persistent violator enhancement.

Sex offenders in Idaho are required to immediately notify the county sheriff’s office of any changes in their vehicle information.

Police said Ruiz purchased and registered a vehicle in March and did not notify the sheriff’s office.

When contacted by police, Ruiz allegedly said he did not see the need to notify the sheriff’s office because the vehicle was inoperable.

However, police said the vehicle appeared to be in driving condition. Further, Idaho code does not make an exception for cars that are not drivable.

Police arrested Ruiz on Saturday.

Judge Mayli Walsh ordered Monday that Ruiz be held on $5,000 bail.

Ruiz has two previous felony convictions in Kootenai County. He was convicted of battery with intent to commit rape in 2019 and of failure to update registration information in 2020.

In Idaho, a third felony conviction is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum life in prison.