Ex-chico Pastor Changes Plea in Child Sex Abuse Case

By Ryan Olson
ChicoER
November 16, 2012

http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_22009349/ex-chico-pastor-changes-plea-child-sex-abuse

A former associate pastor of a Chico church charged in a child sex abuse case has pleaded no contest to a lesser count.

Jesse Daniel Ruhl, formerly of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, pleaded no contest Wednesday to an added misdemeanor count of engaging in lewd conduct in a public place, according to his attorney, Philip Heithecker.

Ruhl had initially been charged in Butte County Superior Court with a misdemeanor count of child molestation for the reported relationship with a then-16-year-old girl. The girl and her parents were members of the church where Ruhl was a music teacher, but the girl was reportedly being home-schooled at the time of the offense.

The prosecution had alleged the relationship between Ruhl and the girl became more intimate in October 2010 when they exchanged 20-30 text messages. For about two to three months, they reportedly met several times per week at their residences and in public places.

Ruhl reportedly told police that he touched the girl's breasts and bottom between five and 10 times, with some skin contact.

The relationship reportedly ended when Ruhl's wife discovered the text messages. He reportedly confessed to his family, including senior pastor Tim Ruhl, which led to Jesse Ruhl's immediate termination as a pastor.

Heithecker said Ruhl was present in court Wednesday, along with his wife and his father. Ruhl has relocated to Southern California and is participating in counseling and therapy.

He said Ruhl could be sentenced to probation, counseling or six months in county jail during a Jan. 8 hearing. Heithecker noted the lewd act offense doesn't require mandatory registration as a sex offender.

However, supervising deputy district attorney Kurt Worley said the prosecution will seek the registration at sentencing. He said it appeared the offense was committed by sexual compulsion or for gratification because Ruhl was in a relationship with the girl.

Regarding the resolution, Worley said the lewd act charge applied to Ruhl's conduct in public. In resolving the case, he said prosecutors considered the ultimate objective in the case and the fact they could argue for registration.

Worley said they also considered that the victim could suffer trauma or embarrassment if the case reached trial.

As part of the negotiated settlement, Heithecker dropped his challenge regarding the legitimacy of the charges.

He had argued the prosecution had filed initial charges after the statute of limitations — which is one year for most crimes that don't involve prison sentences.

The initial complaint — filed Dec. 8, 2011 — alleged the offense took place on or around Nov. 25, 2010. The prosecution filed an amended complaint on April 19, 2012, alleging conduct between Dec. 9, 2010 and Feb. 18, 2011.

Heithecker had argued the amended complaint alleged different conduct and the one-year limit should again be applied.

In July, Judge William Lamb ruled prosecutors erred by specifying a single date in its first complaint, but they should be given the chance to correct it.

Heithecker had filed a writ challenging Lamb's decision, but it was dropped as part of the plea change.

The defendant remains out of custody.

Staff writer Ryan Olson can be reached at 896-7763 or rolson@chicoer.com.