Why spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to incarcerate him? Fire him, end his LEO career, etc, but why spend all that money?
Meanwhile violent criminals are set free...
Exactly my first thought! What good does it do for society, and does it fit the crime ($70!) - unless this is similar to Al Capone who was a murderer. but all they could nail him with is tax evasion.
You have to set an example for other peace officers. They need to be beyond suspicion.
“Ruiz’s attorney, Charles Sciarra asked that the sentence be reduced to six months, noting the many letters sent to the judge on Ruiz’s behalf.
The judge denied that request referencing the mandatory minimum and then as is common, read out the fees, totaling $155, Ruiz will have to pay in accordance with the sentencing.”
Breach of public trust. This is just what they caught him for. No doubt he stole a lot more than that.