COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 57-year-old Lake City man was arrested in connection with an investigation into child sexual abuse material. Brian J. Ruiz was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $425,000 bond.
The investigation began in May 2026 when Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detectives assigned to the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The tip led investigators to identify Ruiz as a suspect in Lake City.
Detectives executed multiple search warrants and conducted device checks during the investigation. Authorities recovered more than 10 still images and videos depicting child sexual abuse before obtaining an arrest warrant for Ruiz.
The recovered images depicted children ranging in age from newborn infants to 14-year-olds, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office noted that additional charges may be filed against Ruiz as the investigation continues.
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