Greene County Man Charged with Weapons Offenses

DES MOINES, IA - On May 12, 2017, Tyson James Ruth, 36, of Jefferson, Iowa, appeared in federal court on an indictment charging Ruth with three counts of being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of a sawed-off shotgun, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. According to the indictment, in December of 2016, he illegally possessed two sawed-off shotguns and three additional guns including a revolver, pistol, and a Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle. Ruth made his initial appearance before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams, who ordered that Ruth remain detained pending trial of this matter.

Ruth’s trial is presently set for July 3, 2017, before United States Judge John A. Jarvey, at the Des Moines Federal Courthouse. Each count is subject to a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum $250,000 fine.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation, and that Ruth is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Carroll Police Department, Jefferson Police Department, and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted this investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov.