Robber Who Posed as Federal Agent in Salem Granted Plea Deal

A Haverhill, Mass. man who robbed a 25-year-old in Salem after posing online as both a 16-year-old girl and later a federal agent has been given a time-served jail sentence as part of a plea deal, according to the Union Leader.

The paper reported John Ruth, 48, had already served 22 days in jail toward a six-month county jail term. He pleaded guilty to theft and false personation charges, while false imprisonment charges were dropped as part of the deal.

According to a prior Patch report, police said Ruth posed as a 16-year-old female online and solicited the 25-year-old man, also from Haverhill, to meet him in a parking lot on Ermer Road in Salem on Feb. 12.

When the other male showed up that day, believing he was meeting a 16-year-old female, Ruth blocked him in with his vehicle. Police said Ruth ordered the victim out of his vehicle and Ruth allegedly identified himself as a federal agent with a sex crimes task force.

Police said Ruth frisked the victim down, taking his money clip and car keys. Ruth allegedly pretended to check the victim's ID and later returned the items to the victim, ordering him to leave.

The victim departed but police said he soon realized Ruth stole $146 in cash from his money clip.

At that time, police said Ruth was under investigation in Massachusetts for similar incidents.