BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — A 49-year-old Millcreek man was arrested last week in Box Elder County following an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation in which authorities say he attempted to meet with someone he believed was a 16-year-old girl.
Clark Ellis Ruttinger was charged in Brigham City’s 1st District Court with distributing material harmful to a minor, a third-degree felony; enticing a minor, a class A misdemeanor; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a third-degree felony; and possession or use of a controlled substance, a class B misdemeanor.
According to a probable cause affidavit, and undercover agent responded to an advertisement Ruttinger allegedly posted on a “local Utah hookup site”. Investigators said the conversation later moved to an encrypted messaging application commonly used by individuals conducting illegal activity.
Court documents state the conversation became sexual after the investigator repeatedly reminded Ruttinger he was communicating with someone he believed to be a 16-year-old female.
Agents allege Ruttinger offered to share marijuana with the girl and suggested the two meet in his truck to smoke together. Authorities said the pair agreed on a meeting location in Box Elder County.
During the exchange, Ruttinger allegedly sent explicit photographs and voice recordings discussing sexual acts, according to the PC affidavit. Before arriving at the meeting location, investigators said he also sent photos showing his face and the interior of his vehicle, including a steering wheel that appeared to belong to a Toyota.
At the designated location, officers observed a silver Toyota Tacoma drive past the area before returning approximately 10 minutes later. The vehicle briefly pulled into the area before leaving again, prompting investigators to initiate a traffic stop.
Officers reported smelling burnt marijuana coming from Ruttinger’s truck. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered a marijuana blunt inside the center console.
Authorities identified Ruttinger using credit cards and a Utah driver’s license found during the stop. According to investigators, the Millcreek man later admitted during an interview that he traveled to the area intending to meet a female and engage in sexual activity, but claimed he became frightened and attempted to leave before police stopped him.
Ruttinger remains in custody without bail as the case proceeds through the court system. He is scheduled to appear again in court May 18.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.