A former Boy Scouts employee is facing charges for child porn, federal prosecutors said Monday.
Russell Ruth, age 34, of Lyons, is charged with possession of child pornography.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Ruth, who worked for the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Babcock-Hovey in Ovid, Seneca County, was arrested after Yahoo! said it had found suspected child porn files on its servers.
Investigators traced the email associated with the files back to Ruth, prosecutors say, and then executed a search warrant at his home on Ditton Street in Lyons.
Prosecutors say hundreds of images and videos of child porn were found on his computer and cell phone.
Federal authorities are now asking anyone with any further information on this case to call investigators at 716-464-5949 or Bivona Child Advocacy Center at 1-585-935-7800.
Statement from Seneca Waterways Council, Boy Scouts of America:
“For the last several weeks we have been participating with multiple law enforcement agencies regarding the investigation into Russell Ruth.”
“This individual’s behavior is abhorrent and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. Upon learning of the investigation, we took immediate action to remove this individual and prohibit him from any future participation in our programs.”
At this point, we have been advised by law enforcement, there is no evidence of any improprieties happening anywhere within Camp or any Scouting program.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our youth members. We seek to prevent child abuse through comprehensive policies and procedures to serve as barriers to abuse. These include a thorough screening process for adult leaders and staff, criminal background checks, requiring two or more adult leaders be present with youth at all times during Scouting activities, the prompt mandatory reporting of any allegation or suspicion of abuse and advocating on behalf of victims when abuse is identified.”
“Anyone with any information on potential abuse should contact authorities to ensure the safety of our youth, in and out of Scouting.”
Stephen T. Hoitt
Scout Executive
Seneca Waterways Council, BSA
