You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide: Ft. Bend Detectives Travel to Panama in Money Laundering Case
In February of 2008 Detective R. Williams of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office was assigned a Theft (Felony) case for follow-up investigation. In this case of mishandled funds the nephew; Russell Ruble was designated as power of attorney with fiduciary authority over all of his elderly Uncle and Aunts financial accounts.
During the course of this investigation, Det. Williams disclosed Russell Ruble intentionally and knowingly used his fiduciary authority as power of attorney to transfer, with the intent to conceal, funds totaling in excess of $320,000.00.
Recently, Det. Williams received a tip that Russell Ruble was in hiding in Panama. After confirming those details, Det. Williams along with a F.B.I. Agent, who was there to provide assistance and coordination with the Panamanian Law Enforcement Officials, traveled to Panama on Thursday, March 26, 2009.
The F.B.I. and State Department worked in a collaborative effort with Panamanian Law Enforcement Officials who learned Ruble had resided in Panama for approximately 18-months after fleeing the United States to avoid prosecution. After a 2-day stay in Panama, the Panamanian Officials learned Ruble had made false statements on his Visa application and with pending criminal charges in the United States resulted in Ruble being expelled from Panama. Det. Williams and F.B.I. Agent escorted Ruble back to the U.S. where he was ultimately arrested upon his arrival in Houston.
Russell Lynn Ruble (Arrest Photo), 54 years of age and prior to residing in Panama was of the Rosharon area, is currently incarcerated in the Fort Bend County Jail on charges of Misapplication of Fiduciary Property (1st degree felony), $5,000,000.00 Bond; Conspiracy to Commit Theft, No Bail; Money Laundering, No Bail; Theft, No Bail.
This case has already been before a Grand Jury where an indictment was issued and is pending trial in the 268th District Court.