Ruland Arrested During Sex Offender Compliance Checks

JEFFERSON, N.C. – On May 3, 2022, U.S. Marshals Service and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office combined a task force of local, state, and federal law enforcement who fanned out across the county to check in on all local registered sex offenders. This operation resulted in the arrest of Charles Ruland, who was residing too close to an elementary school.

Our teams consisted of the U.S. Marshals Service, Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. State Probation Officers, West Jefferson P.D. and Jefferson P.D. In Ashe County, we have a total of 43 registered sex offenders who get regularly checked by Sheriff’s Office staff.

Every year the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office partners up with local and federal law enforcement agencies to conduct compliance checks with the sex offenders registered in Ashe county. We make sure they comply with court orders and live where they are registered.

Out of 43 registered offenders in Ashe County, Charles Ruland of West Jefferson was arrested with violations. Ongoing investigations are currently underway for three additional registrants. Detective Mike Reynolds, our staff, and local agencies do a great job ensuring the offenders are in compliance, and our county is safe.

Charles Leonard Ruland, 65 years-old, of West Jefferson, NC was charged with:

• Sex Offender Residence Registration

Ruland is being held at the Ashe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.