Winnipeg Firefighter charged with luring children and sexual assault dating back to 2001

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Winnipeg Firefighter charged with luring children and sexual assault dating back to 2001

September 25, 2017
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[jaw_v_video clip_id=”https://vimeo.com/235409632″ height=”480″ autoplay=”” ][jaw_clear]

A 52-year-old Winnipeg firefighter has been arrested and charged with a number of sexual assaults against underage females dating back to 2001.

Police say that in 2015 they began an investigation when a victim came forward describing how the suspect had begun a relationship with her and began sexually assaulting her at a jiu-jitsu studio he owned at 80 Sherbrook Street in Winnipeg.

As the investigation unfolded a second victim was identified. The second victim was an adult female who alleges she was sexually assaulted between December 2005 and December 2006 at another location in the city.

A third victim, a female youth, came forward and told police that sometime between November and December 2015 the suspect answered an online ad for an escort and until recently continued to pay for sexual services from her. The third victim is still under the age of 18.

Information from the three victims in the case indicated the suspect owned the jiu-jitsu studio but also worked as a Winnipeg Firefighter.

Winnipeg Police have arrested and charged Manuel Vladimur Ruiz for his alleged involvement with two counts of Sexual Assault (Child Abuse), Sexual Interference, Obtain Sexual Service from a person under the age of 18, Forcible Confinement, Invitation to Sexual Touching, Luring a Child

Ruiz has been detained in custody

According to Winnipeg Police Service Public Information Officer Tammy Skrabek the occupation of the accused was released because he may have had access to children during his duties as a firefighter.

[jaw_quote author=”Tammy Skrabek – Public Information Officer, Winnipeg Police Service” ]With his position in martial arts as well as being a public authority it is very possible that he had access to more than just these three victims[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]

” These events have occurred over the last fifteen years so if there are other victims or anybody who has possible contact with this male either through his work as a firefighter or through his position in jui-jitsu has encountered any suspicious activity or believe they are a victim to notify police,” said Skrabek.
This investigation is continuing by members of the Counter Exploitation Unit. Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-3464 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

-News 4-