I think really when it was online, it was more of a fantasy, but in real life. I never wanted that. And even today, I don’t know why I came up. I don’t know what made me do it. This video contains the interview of a sixth grade teacher who was caught during a sting on the show to catch a predator. James Ruthford was a 23 year old middle school teacher whose marriage was ending when he picked up an old habit of chatting online. He took pleasure in explicit conversations, and he wasn’t picky about the age of the other person. This is how he ended up interacting with a decoy posing as a 13 year old girl. He drove two hours to meet her and although he claims that he had decided nothing of a physical nature would happen, the contents of this interview strongly suggest otherwise. Watch your knees and your head coming out. Yeah. No, I didn’t grab a jacket. [Inaudible] What’s that? [Inaudible] Is that your correct address or no? No, it’s actually not. -It’s not? -No. That’s my old address. Where is your address now? 29 40 Millbank Roe. Millback? Millbank, all one word. -How would you spell that? -M-I-L-L-B-A-N-K. Okay. It’s Mainville Ohio. Fairfield? No, it’s Mainville. Manville? Mainville. M-A-I-N-V-I-L-L-E 45039 is a zip. Can I have your phone number. Nine. Two, two. -Two, two? -Yes. Okay. The name of the road. Spell that for me again. Millbank. M-I-L-L-B-A-N-K. Yeah. We started. We just started. Yeah. Thank you. Bye. All right. This James, is that correct? James Ruthford? Yes. Okay. I’m Sergeant Sean Trussell. This is Deputy Scott Mullin, Dark County Sheriff’s Office here. Okay? You’ve been read your rights out at the scene when he was arrested. Okay. And you understand those rights? Correct. Okay. And you understand that those rights are still in effect at this time while we’re talking to you. Okay? Rutherford gives his basic information, his expression, bewildered and cornered like an animal caught in a carefully laid trap. Mentally, he is searching for some kind of escape, trying to figure out what lie or excuse will be the best to use to get him out of trouble. This video shows a desperate escape attempt by a criminal who had successfully concealed a weapon, which he then turns on police. On July 30th, 2020, Lavel Jordan was seen by officers entering a car that had been reported as stolen during a... First off, I just want to start by getting, confirming your personal information, okay? Yes, sir. This is James M Rutherford. Is that correct? Okay. Can you answer me yes or no? -Yes sir. -Instead of a nod? Thank you. Is your current address three view drive? -No, sir. -103. What’s your current address? 29 40 Millbank Road. Millbank. Mill, M-I-L-L Bank. Okay. Mainville, Ohio. Mainville? Mainville. Yes, sir. Okay. M-A-I-N? M-A-I-N-E, I think. Okay. -What’s the zip code there? -45039. You got a phone there? No, that’s my cell. The only thing I got. Okay. What’s your cell and your social? Correct. And your birthday? -February 14th? -Yes. -Of 80? -Yes, sir. Okay. You work anywhere. Where do you work at? St. Margaret of York School. Are your teacher there? What grade you teach? Sixth. The reason we have you here is because we have some chat logs. I talked to the guy, the thing about it. Okay. And we kind of want to sit down and talk to you about it, okay? Yes, sir. I understand. There’s a chat name that you used. IU Rutherford. -IU Rutherford? -Yes, sir. Can I ask if I’m being charged? Is that fair? Yes. You’re going to be looking at charges. What charges? Right now, so once we talk and we go through everything just depending on what your belief was, what was actually said, and everything else, and what actually occurred. Okay. As soon as we get done here, I’ll let you know the exact charges against you, okay? Okay. What was the screen name of the person you was talking to? Do you remember? I really actually don’t know. I’d say a Princess Danica? -Yeah. -Does that sound familiar? That’s it. Let me ask you guys, should I have my lawyer? That I cannot answer for you. You do have a right to an attorney as you were advised in your rights. Did they ever advise, what name did you think her real name was? Danica. -Danica? -Yeah. Okay. How old did you believe this female to be? I think she said 13 or 15. I couldn’t remember. Okay. I guess first question I’m ask you is what brought you to the address on 5K Avenue? I don’t know. I don’t know. What did you believe was going to happen when you got there? Honestly, nothing. I had decided long ago that I wasn’t going to do anything. When asked about his intentions, Rutherford claims that nothing physical was going to happen. If that was truly the case, then there was no reason for him to make the two hour drive. Physical with a kid. I really did. I know that’s probably hard for you to believe, but I didn’t even really want to come. I told the guy over there, I don’t know why I was coming. My mind’s told me, stop, she’s a kid. I am a teacher. I’ve never done anything like this before. And I just kept driving, but I decided alone before I got here that I’m not going to do anything with her. I’m not going to touch her. I’m not going to violate her. She’s a kid. But in your log, you’ve talked about performing sexual acts together, is that right? I talked about kissing. We talked about kissing. Okay. Anything else? I don’t think, I don’t know. You talked about her dressing slutty and that she was a virgin. Is that right? Did I? -Yeah. -I don’t remember asking that honestly. You told her you’d show her your butt, is that correct? I really don’t remember, sir. Okay. I know it was wrong. She said quite a few things. But... ...I don’t think I ever said anything beyond what I just told you. He did. Did I? What did I say? He’s going to tell you in just a minute. Okay. Are you talking about, yes, sir, if she’d make you take your shirt off? And that you said you wanted to take hers off and that you would get to see her with her shirt off. And then you asked her if she would want you to take anything else off. And then you asked her once she had you naked, what would she do with you? And she said she didn’t know she’d never been naked with a man before. And you said, ha ha, would you take anything off but your shirt? And she said, yeah. And you said what? She said her bra. Then you asked if she would let you kiss her boobs and her tummy. And then you said down here that you’re so freaking horny and you know, if you had me naked, I’d want more. Right? And then you asked if that would bother her. I wasn’t insinuating though I would make her do more, sir. And then you asked her if she means to have sex and she said yes. Yeah, she started that though, I believe, sir. So you want me to believe that you talk about being horny and then you ask her how horny she is and if she’s wet, and then you say you want to have fun with her. Doesn’t mean I was planning on it, sir. And you talked to her about laying her see more on your cam, that you thought about sending more, that you was going to be naughty. And then down here you asked what she was wearing. She says Jean and tank top, you said cute. And then you asked anything else that she said socks, and you laughed out loud. And then she said underwear. And then you asked no panties. And then you said, oh, okay. So you’re wondering what kind of clothes those 13 year old kids wearing asking her if she’s horny, telling her that you’re horny. When confronted with the explicit content of his chat logs, Rutherford shifts around nervously, weekly protesting that nothing was actually going to happen. But that type of conversation is hardly casual and no one listening could possibly believe that he wouldn’t have followed through if given the chance. I guess my question to you is, throughout this whole thing and the talking and things that you said, there’s pretty much a belief that you guys are going to kiss, get naked, and that it could lead elsewhere? Not really. Not really. You didn’t take that by what you put in here? Sir I never, intended when I was saying all that to actually come up here today. But you did come up here? Yes, sir. And I didn’t intend… Okay. So whether you made an intent to come up here or not, you still typed this stuff, right? I know [crosstalk] yes, sir. And you had the belief that if you come up here, there was a chance that you guys were going to have sex? I wasn’t going to have sex with her, sir. In fact, I don’t think she mentioned it. And I said, you mean me sex? So you’re telling me you didn’t believe one bit, you were going to come up here and have sex with her? No, sir, I did not. No, sir. I know it looks like that, I’m sure, but no, sir, I know it. So if you didn’t think you were coming up here to have sex, what would you think you’re coming up here before? Honestly, and I know you guys haven’t seen what I discussed with Mr. Gaffer in DC. I don’t know why I decided to come up. I don’t know, maybe I shouldn’t be saying this without a lawyer, but I don’t know. I decided long before I even got here though, that I wasn’t going to do anything physical with her. But before you made that decision, there was a belief that something physical was going to happen even though you changed your mind. No, sir. And you said that you changed your mind. In fact, I wasn’t even going to come up and I even called her. But why did you come? I don’t know. I even called her and said, you know, I’m not really comfortable with this. You’re way too young. And she said, come anyway, we’ll just hang out. I don’t know if you guys have logs on my phone calls, but that is what happened. I, in fact, turned around and was heading home and I said, I don’t think I’m going to come, I don’t feel comfortable with this. And then I don’t know if you can check that or not. And she said, no, come up. We’ll have fun. I was just looking forward to hanging out, whatever. And I went home and thought, this is dumb. I shouldn’t go. But if I drive up and just hang out, I’m not going to do anything. I’ll drive home. That’s all… What'd you anticipate you're going to have a common with this girl? I don't know. That's one of the reasons why I didn't know why I was coming. I mean, judging by what you guys chatted with looks to me like there's only one reason, only one thing you could have in common with this girl. That wasn't, I mean, we didn't start off at least, I don't even know when I met that girl. It was just randomly in an Ohio adult room. I mean, I haven't said, you know, I'm a lot older than you. I don't know. I mean, do you think you would have anything in common with this girl? -Is this a girl you wanted to date? -No. No. I didn't even want anything physical by the time I got here, sir. She's 13. I didn't want to date her. I didn't. I mean, obviously there were sexual thoughts. They were I know. I mean, by what you... -I typed. -What I typed. Obviously what you typed, I mean, that's, you know… At what point did you lose those thoughts? I mean, what point did you think that those thoughts were? When it became real. When I was coming up here, I thought, this is not a good idea. So you were like halfway here and thought what we're doing. In fact, I told the guys over there, I almost turned off and just went to the [inaudible] Air Force Museum. I think I just… Was that about when you started thinking this is a bad idea? No. No. As soon as she said it yesterday, I thought I mean, on the internet it's almost like it's a fantasy, like it's not real, I think. And it kind of got real. And I thought, I don't even want to, that's stupid. And I don't know why I decided to come it. I didn't really want to. You must want to somewhat or else you wouldn't be here now, right? I think it was just, I don't know. I'm going, it won't matter to you, but I actually just found out a couple days ago, I'm getting divorced. And I've just dreamed trying to stay out of the house and stay busy. And I think I would just, I had nothing else to do today and thought, well, I'll drive up there if nothing else. And I even thought maybe I'll get here and turn around, but if nothing else, it was a couple hours, I could just be out of the house driving the car or whatever. Rutherford tries to blame his choices on the fact that he is getting divorce. It is a typical trait shared by predators and abusers that they refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. And here you talk about that you'd love to see her and like in her own panties. Yeah, I remember saying that. I remember saying that. I think I said you did something about her laying on top of me. Yep. You said you, you’d like to lay on top of you kissing you like kind of grinding. That was like an online fantasy. I never really intended, or if that happened, I know you're not… Did you have fantasies that there was sex with the… -Not sex? No, sir. -13 year old? No, sir. I don't, I never said, let's have sex, sir. Well, I guess I don't understand why a gentleman, how old are you? 26 sir. 26 school teacher would even have any thought of going to meet a 13 year old girl? You know what? They go hang out. You know what? I don't either. I told those guys over there… Why a 26 year old male would type the things that you typed up to a 13 year old girl asking her… I don't know, sir. Listen to me a minute, asking her what she was wearing if she's wet talking to her about her wearing a bra, her laying on top of you, you guys grinding. I don't know. This things that a 26 year old male does not say to a 13 year old kid, unless you have ideas or thoughts that sexual acts could happen. Sir, I'll be honest with you. I mean, I understand. Okay with you, if you were hearing everything I told you, would you believe that the thought was… No, I know if I was in your shoes, hell no. I wouldn't believe the word I'm saying. You would believe that the whole plan was to come up here and have sex? Yeah. I, if I was you, yes sir. No doubt. No doubt. Okay. But that's not, that really wasn't my intention. Well, I guess I still don't figure and understand your intention. You still come to the house? Yes, sir. I still… You didn't turn around. You didn't drive away. -I don't know why. -You came to the house anyway. I should have. And I didn't. I don't know why I wasn't going to have sex. I wasn't even going to touch her. So what was your intention when you got here? What was you going to do? And I called her and she's like, I'm just going to watch a movie. I said, fine, whatever, I'll watch a movie with her. I mean, up until that point, I still hadn't decided if I was in it. And you knew she was home alone, is that correct? Yeah. I think she said that. Okay. So all this put together, I mean, you just… I know it doesn't look good. Do you expect me to believe that nothing was going to happen or you didn't want anything happen? Do I expect you to believe it. You can believe what you want frankly. Did you have any remote belief or a fantasy that something would happen? You did earlier, prior. Sir, online it doesn't seem real. It's like I'm talking to people that aren't real. But online you still know that she's a 13 year old female. Like I said, sir… So why, even if it's not real, would you say those things to a 13 year old female? It's all [bleeped] up in the head, apparently. That's the only explanation I can give you is that I… Have you ever talked to a minor before on the internet? I'd rather not answer that, sir. Have you ever had any prior charges of anything? No sir. No, sir. And I've never done this before. I've never met a minor. I don't know. Have you chatted with a minor before? Like I said, yes I have. -Okay. How many times? -I have no idea. The internet's been around since I was a minor. Okay. When you say you have no idea, so you're saying many times you've chatted with… I chat with whoever on there. I mean, I just hang out and chat. -But you have chatted with minors? -Yes, sir. Of what age? I don't know. 13 year olds before. Probably. 2 year olds. No, I don't like going out low on kids. So you stay 13 usually. Have you ever mention the stuff you've mentioned in here before? Sir, usually when I chat to people, they're 18, 19, 20 years old, closer to my age. Okay, but it's not the first time yo u chatted with a 13 year old sir. No, it's not. And have you made sexual comments to these others? Yes, sir You have? Okay. And have you ever met with them? No, sir. Never. Is it more of a, you say these things because you want to excite yourself to fulfill your needs while you're there. You fantasize while you're sitting there of what you could be doing with this, even though you're on the other side of the computer, you're saying these things to gratify yourself. Yeah. There was never any intention to cross that line. Any time. Even after admitting to having similar conversations with other minors, Ruthford still insists that he would never physically act out his fantasies when asked if he chats like this to fulfill his own pleasure, Rutherford dodges the question. Even yesterday. I know it. Okay. But I guess I just, I know I'm here to help you. Okay? I hope you can. And I think you do have a problem. Obviously. And you've admitted that okay, that you have talked to minors before 13 years of age, that you say the things you say because of your sexual gratification. Do you masturbate while you're doing this? Sometimes. I have, yeah. So you're so driven by this, okay. But sir, it’s not like… It's not like, okay, just listen to me, man. Okay? No, I think I feel like I should at least tell you it's not like it's, I go on there specifically looking for little kids. And I'm not saying that's all you look for, okay? But you're doing this, okay? So your sexual gratification, you say, you know it's wrong, but what concerns me is you go ahead and drive up here knowing this 13 year old is home alone by yourself her parents are not around. You admit to writing the things in here and getting your sexual gratification out of it at home, but you expect me to believe that you didn't have any beliefs of anything when you went up there to visit her. You know, I almost called her and said, you know, what are you doing? Why are you inviting a 26 year old guy to your house? That crossed my mind. But almost and doing are two different things. -Oh, I know. -And you still went through with it. I know. You still come to visit her, you pull right in, you walk right in to go see her. Yes sir. The only way we can help you, is that mean for you to be honest? How are you going to help me, sir? You talk with our prosecutor and everything else. You're pretty much doing everything and saying the things you're saying for your gratification at home. Exactly. I know there's things that I shouldn't have done in the past on the internet. As far as? Chatting with people. Other minors, other minors, seeing them on camera. Have you ever sent nude pictures or anything of yourself? I've been on camera before. Okay. Nude? Yes. But that wasn't, it was usually of her older people. Okay. But is there a remote possibility you've ever sent a nude picture to a minor? It's possible. Sometimes people might lie about their age too. And I know her, I think, you know, she saw me with my shirt off and stuff, it wasn't, she never saw me naked. What are these pills that you have with you? They're just Advil. I had, I went out last night and I had a headache. They're just Advil? Yes, sir. They're generic Ibuprofen or something. Okay. Do you have any pictures or anything on your phone? No, it's not even camera phone. -You care if I look? -Go ahead. No. Anything [inaudible] about any condoms? No. Like I said, I wasn't intended on really knowing anything. Any choreographed pictures? -No, sir. -Okay. You mind if we take a look through that, then? Go ahead. You search my car. That's fine. Okay. So it's 98. Yes, sir. Did anybody else know that you were coming up here today? Just you. And have you ever had any phone conversation with who you believed Danica? Just today was the first time I ever talked to her. Today. On your way up here? No. Even before that this morning I called her and said, I don't know if I'm going to come or not. I don't really think it's, like I said, I even turned around once and called her and said, I don't really feel comfortable with this. But you still come. Well, she said, well come honey. We'll just hang out and thought, well, if we're just hanging out. Do you think it's right for a 26 year old to hang out with a 13 year old child, even if it's just sitting and watching out a movie? Just watching? No, probably not. And you came from? Mainville. -Mainville. -Cincinnati. Oh well Cincinnati? So do you feel that's odd? A 26 year old man drives all the way from Cincinnati up here to sit and watch a movie with a 13 year old? Oh yeah, I do. I'm not saying I don't need help. I'm not saying there's not something wrong with me. What do you think is wrong with you? Rutherford is forced to admit he has a problem. One made all the more horrifying because he is in almost daily contact with students who are the same age as the victims he seeks out on the internet. Well, I don't know why I did that. I don't know why I've done that stuff. I've thought about getting help in the past and I honestly just never thought I could open up to a stranger, a psychiatrist. So how long have you been doing this? Well, like I said, I'm mean the internet's been around since I was 12, 13. I've always chatted on there. But how long have you think you've been chatting with minors? I can't give you specifics. I guess since… Get a sense of gratification? I guess since I was no longer a minor. I mean, I've always chatted to people. It wasn't always minors. I don't know. I can't give you any specific dates, honestly. I'm not going to lie I've chatted them. Do you enjoy talking to a minor though, for your gratification? It wasn't just the minors, it was just girls in general. Okay. So either it's a minor or a female, but it's to get your gratification basically. That's all it was for sir. It was personal. It wasn't that I wanted anything else ever. Okay. But to confirm we have is that you've come all the way from Cincinnati. I know, I know. After everything you said for your gratification, I know it doesn't look good. You've come all the way up here and you've met or tried to meet with a 13 year old female. I can't I can't explain it. I wish I could. I wish I knew why I was like this and what was wrong with me. I really had thought about getting help in the past, and I thought maybe I had gotten over some of that. In fact, I mean, I deleted a lot of people that I chatted to once in a while. I stopped getting on there for a while and then I started up again. I thought I could beat it on my own and just, apparently I just didn't have the willpower, sir. I mean, when you get online with these people, when you start talking, what's that make you want to do? Nothing. I mean, I have never ever crossed the line with one of my students or anything. In fact, it's never even really crossed my mind. Have you ever chatted with one of your students? No. No. Never. Never would've done anything to any of them? Never would've ever, and, you know, attempted it. I think really when it was online it was more of a fantasy. Like, this isn't real, but in real life. I never wanted that. And even today, I don't know why I came up. I don't know what made me do it. I wish I could tell you. I know you probably think I'm full of [bleeped]. So if you would've got here and you would've walked in and then a 13 year old girl standing there and a bra and panties, what would've happened? What would you have done? That's speculative, I don't know. I didn't think that was going to happen. You didn't think that? No, sir. Please understand. It's in your chat log, isn't it? So you can't tell me you didn't have a belief that that could have happened. Am I correct? It was Listerine strips. You know, it crossed my mind. There was a thought there that, that could have that… But I didn't think it was going to and I didn't want it to. You got to believe me on that. I didn't want to have sex with her. I didn't even want kiss her. I didn't really want to do anything. I just wanted to hang out with somebody to take my mind off of my life right now. I just wanted to hang out with somebody that I could talk to. I mean, when I met the girl, I told her, you know, married. And this week I was venting to her about, well, whoever, while I was talking to about getting a divorce. I mean, I just, I don't know. I know that sounds like bull, but, and your question, I don't know. I don't know if that's a fair question. That's not really what I thought was going to end up happening. But my question to you is, what if you come up here and we weren't here and they weren't doing what they were doing, and there was actually a 13 year old girl in that house that was waiting on you and just her bras and just her fannies. I'm telling you, bottom of my heart, I wouldn't have done anything. I've never done something like that with a kid. You've never done something like that. I know you said it and I know. The studies show that, you know, one thing leads to another with sexual predators. Apparently that's what I am. I never thought I was. Surprisingly Rutherford acknowledges that he is a predator. He is still lying to himself when he says that he wouldn't have abused the girl. And at least on some level, he recognizes this fact because he says that one thing leads to another in this type of abuse. I wouldn't, like I said, I don't know why I'm here. On your whole way, up on your whole drive up here, when you're thinking about all this, are you thinking to yourself, man, if I show up here and she's like this, what's going to happen? Or did you play this through your mind? I mean, you're telling yourself, I didn't want to do this. I'm telling myself… But by knowing this, you know what? Listen to me, you know what you're saying to her. And you know what she's saying to you. You can't tell me that's not going through your mind the whole way up here from Cincinnati. Yes, sir. It was lots of different things went through my mind. What was going through your mind? And the conclusion I always came to was, I am not going to touch this kid. Okay. But what else was going through your mind? What do you mean? I mean, what else? You're thinking about what she told you, how she's going to be dressed or things you're going to do? No, she tell me, actually I guess she did, but I wasn't going. There is a belief that she could have been in her bras and panties. Am I correct? She never said she's going to greet me in her underwear. Okay. But you talk about getting on top of other. -Yes, I know. -Not having shirts on. I know. Grinding on each other. That was on there. That wasn't what I was going to do in real life. Okay. But there's that chance that that could have happened, right? No. -No. -No. I know you're looking at me and thinking I'm full of it. But if you showed up and walked through that door and there's a 13 year old like that, there wouldn't have never been a chance for that to happen? Sir no, I'm telling you right now. I mean, you're asking me. Don't try to make me tell you something that's not true. No. The whole way up here. I thought if something she tries to, I'm not going to do it. It's not right. It's real life and it's not going to happen. I know you don't believe me, but no, I'm sorry. No. So what, you were right in there. Was that right? Hell no. Obviously not. But you did that anyway? Yes. And then you're on your way up here. So you came halfway on that one. I wasn't to make the trip up here. You see what I'm saying? Yeah. Why even put yourself in that situation? I don't know. Why did you even drive all the way up there? In fact, I wondered if this was some set up. The second she said it, I thought I'd be a fool to put myself in that situation and I'm a fool. All right. Was there anything else you think you need to tell us or [inaudible]. About my what? Where's the computer at that you was using the chat back and forth? In my house. Okay. And right now you live there by yourself? Yeah, my wife moved out. Okay. Why do I want to know where your computer is at? I'm just asking where you was at the time when you were doing this. I don't think we're going to take this [inaudible]. Nothing on there as far as pictures. So don't need that. Okay. And now we'll now you're taking, huh? Why not? Huh? Why not picture what you have computer at your house they've been taking, what do you mean? [Inaudible]. There is nude pictures? I don't think so. There's no new pictures of anyone underage? Honestly, I don't. That you talk to? A couple of people on there? I mean, they might be in underwear or something. I don't think there's any nude, I could be wrong. I don't think I've ever had anything or kept anything like that. Okay. Have you received that? People have sent it and I always just said no, deleted. Okay. I hope not. Okay. Maybe, but I don’t think. You are like 50 50 on that? Probably. So there's a possibility. Probably a decent chance that there is. I mean, you're kind of coin toss at this point. Yeah. If there is, I don't know. Is there any minors on there? That's what I said. I mean there are probably people that are minors. I don't think there's any nude pictures. I mean it's just all, this is a picture of me. -Okay. -Some of them have sent provocative pictures... ...[inaudible] things that might be on there. I don't think. And these are minors that have sent you this? Yeah. But I mean, and I'm telling you, it was probably two months ago, I said, I don't know what I'm doing. And I had pictures at that time and stuff and I deleted everything, deleted all the people off my friend's list, said, I've got to quit doing this. I'm hurting myself and I'm going to hurt somebody else. I just wasn't strong enough to not do it. How many minors have you been talking with here? I don’t know. When you deleted everything, how many minors were you talking to at that time? I don’t know. -5, 10, 15. -I don’t know more. -More. -I don't know. The level of panic in Rutherford's eyes increases when he is asked about his computer. It is obvious that there are things on it that shouldn't be. And they will be found no matter how well he thinks he may have hidden them. And usually I only talked to a person once or twice and I never talked to them again. It wasn't like I had ongoing relationships with anybody except a couple of people that I've talked to for years. Is there anything in your vehicle we need to know about? No, sir. Nothing. You don't have anything hidden in there anywhere or anything like that? No, sir. Okay. And you're going to give us consent to search that, is that correct? Yes, sir. Okay. Do you know your license plate number? No. I don't. You call. Do you need it? Yeah. Call Corey. See if can get Turner. I'm going to ask you to sign here. Permission to search [inaudible]. Okay? You said that the [inaudible] don't find anything in there though, right? Did your wife know that you had this problem? Did she know that you talked to minors or anything? No, this had nothing to do with it over time. That's why I wanted to stop. It's for her. The biggest reasons. So you're making this sound like, and I'm not trying to say you're a bad person, but that… I'm a bad person, sir. But that this has been happening for a good while now. Because you have concerns about… Myself. What's going on or what's driving you? Is there concerns of where's this leading me to? No. Was kind of, I mean, I really never, honestly, even today didn't intend anything to happen. But that was one of the things I thought I'll quit doing it on my own. And I thought I should maybe get some help, but I never thought I could talk to somebody about it. But with your actions and what keeps going and you keep doing more and more, I mean, is there a concern there that… That's why I was thinking about getting help. That this is going to lead to more, that it's going to get more serious? I really never thought it would. I really never thought it would. What's your thought now? I still don't think it would've. But you still coming and you visit a 13 year old girl. Sir. I know. I know. But I don't think I would've done anything, deep down my heart. All right. What I'll do is read this to you here, okay? And then I will copy you sign it. We undersigned, which is you residing at 29 40 Millbank Road, Mainville, Ohio this hereby volunteer authorize Deputy JS Mullin and other officers he may designate to assist him to search and I cross this out, your residence. To search my motor vehicle, namely my 98 Chevrolet Corvette, varying license plate number DH A X 2176 of the state of Ohio, presently parked at the Dark County impound lot. Okay? And I further authorize that officers removed from my, I'll cross that out and that out removed from my motor vehicle, whatever documents or items of property whatsoever we say deemed pertinent to their investigation with the understanding that said, officers will give me a receipt for whatever is removed. And I'm given this written permission to these officers freely and voluntarily without any threats or promises having been made and after having been informed by said, officer, that I have a right to refuse this search and or seizure. Okay. Sir, that's fine. Okay. Are you right-handed, left hand? Right-handed. Okay. And just put your hand out there you go. You can put those in the front. I'm not going anywhere. Where you are and we got these loose policy, I didn't put them back here. I'm sorry. Especially since we're in a vehicle without a cage. Okay? Rutherford has incriminated himself enough that there is no real necessity for any further questioning. He has given permission for his vehicle be searched. So now all that is left to gain access to is his computer. Now what? Right now you're going to be charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Can I have a lawyer? A lawyer. You will have a chance to call if that is what you want. I don't have a personal lawyer. Somebody have to at midnight. You'll be arraigned. Come Monday morning and they'll explain to you as far as what your charges are and whether you seek court appointed counseling or what. They'll explain all that to you. So I’ll be in custody? Yes sir. No, not yet. Take a quick picture of you here and we’ll be out of here. [Inaudible] You put, oh, put these back in your pocket and your license. You put my hands pocket, it's going to fall out there. -Huh? -Yeah, it's mine. [Inaudible] Watch your head and knees. [Inaudible] [Inaudible] on the right. Step up to it. Have close your head on it for me. Okay? Bring your legs back to me as far as you comfortably can turn them apart. I'm going to take these cuffs off of you when I do. Once you place the hands on the wall above your head, do you understand? Yes ma'am. Go ahead and pull your arm out on the wall above your head. Same with this. You have anything on you that's going to poke me or stiff me? No. Do you have any piercing or jewelry on your body? My tongue. -Is it in now? -Yes. . Advil -Advil? -Yes. Rutherford begins the process of being placed in jail. Whether or not he gets a lengthy sentence is yet to be determined. One thing though is guaranteed his career in education is over. [Inaudible] Do you have any money in your wallet? $3. That for me and face me open your mouth. Okay. Lift your tongue. Put that in there. Put it in there for me. I'm going to take it out. What you have you do now is take your index fingers, place them on the inside of your mouth, pull down on your lip, run it all the way through the back. And the same with the top. Okay. Go ahead and remove your jacket for me. Okay. I have you remove your tennis shoes. One shoe at a time. The wrong side out when you pull them off hand the shoes up to me. Let’s see the bottom of your left foot. Wiggle your toes. Do the same with the right. No more piercings on your body or anything like that. Go ahead and resume the position like that. [Inaudible] piercings, anything like that. Go ahead and slide those singles on for me. Grab your shoes and your jacket. Have a seat there in that green chair. [Inaudible] Right? I'm Deputy Rio County Sheriff's Office. I'm in charge of the impound lot and also in charge of the property room. Car's been impounded back here at the sheriff's office. At can be released from tomorrow morning, eight o'clock if anybody you can call to come and get it or whatever. There is a tow bill due $80 and there's going to be storage fees for $5 for today and tomorrow. If by any chance I do get released, can I take it out? Yeah, as long as you pay your pay that stuff before you get… It’s credit card work. I don't know. I don't take that kind of stuff. We did take one thing out of your car. It's a plastic bag or I wouldn't put it in the plastic bag. It's a handwritten direction to the house where you were at. This is what'll put in your property and it's a receipt showing that you have any question about your car, the impound or this property. Okay. Good luck for you. Yes, thanks. The search has been made of Rutherford's car and it sounds like the only thing they found was the note with directions to the house. The lack of more incriminating evidence in the vehicle isn't all that surprising. Most of what they will be looking for will be found on the computer. What's your last name, sir? Ruthford. First name? James. Middle name? Maurice. -M-A-R-I-C-E? -M-A-U-R-I-C-E. What's your mother's maiden name? And what city were you born in? Cincinnati. And what's your address? 29 40 Millbank Road. All one word. Mill Bank. M-I-L-L? Yeah. Bank, B-A-N-K. Mainville, Ohio. M-A-I-N. M-A-I-N-E Ville, V-I-L-L-E. Zip code there. 45039. Phone number [inaudible]. Married, divorced, single, separated? Separated, I guess technically now. And do you have any kids? No. Highest level of education that you completed? College. College degree. All four? [Inaudible]. And what was the last college that you attended? Indiana University. -Do you have an attorney? -No. I don't. If I request one from you or what? No, they'll take care of that in court. If you just have a particular attorney that you know of right now, we go ahead and list that. No. And where do you work? St. Margaret of York School. St. Margaret... ...of New York, you said? Yes. -And the address? -I have no idea, sir. You know what street is on? Columbia. What city is that? Mainville. Well, Loveland. -Loveland? -Loveland, yes. Ohio? Yes sir. You have a zip code there? 45140, I believe. Was a teacher. You have another phone number there? No, it's in my cell phone. Okay. While he answers the questions calmly enough, Rutherford's expression shows that everything is hitting him at once. The seriousness of the situation as well as the long reaching impact this is going to have on his life. We're good to go on those? Yeah. Okay. [Inaudible] I didn't recognize it. What color is your hair? Brown. How tall are you? Five eight. And what do you weigh? 165, 170. Do you wear glasses or contacts at any time? I need you to [inaudible] right there stating that [inaudible]. What’s that tattoo on your back? It's a baby grim Reaper. Last name's going to be Rutherford. First name's James. All right. Okay. Do you need to make any phone calls? Yes. I'm going to have to call my parents. Okay. If you'd like to go ahead, right there's a phone. I'll have to do it with everybody else here. You’re going to pick it up and listen to the directions? Okay. You guys get warrant for this, please? My mom's program [inaudible]. What's the phone number there you're calling? 635-812-6373858. 812-637-? Yes. 8158? 637-3858. 8385? Yes, sir. What if nobody answers? We can try back a little while. Rutherford tries to suppress tears as he makes his phone call. He is struggling with what he's going to have to say. There is no good way to tell a friend or loved one that you're in jail for something like this. No justification can be made. He is having to brace himself for scorn and disgust and when the call goes unanswered, it only prolongs his feelings of dread. May I have you turn to your left. Next turn to your right. Okay. Picture of the tattoo on your back. I need a picture of it here. You have any other major scars or marks on your body? A head scar. My knee inaudible]. What happened to your knee? ACL reconstruction. Okay. Go ahead and lift your pant leg there for me if you can. Is that everything? Okay? Good. Have a seat for me. And that we're going to be issuing you while you're here to jail. Can you read down here at this print any item that's issued to you, you're responsible for what item? Anything should be broken, be based, misplaced, whatever you're responsible for and make sure everything that's on this list stays in your possession. This sheet here is stating that you have insurance through Anthem. Correct? Okay. If you need any kind of medical attention, we ensure that you get it. We'll bill your insurance down. Okay? And you sign here and here this is [inaudible]. Okay. I got a series of medical questions that I need to go through with you, okay? Yes sir. Do you have any allergies? I'm allergic to nuts. I'm sorry. -Nuts. Yeah. -Nuts? Any kind of nuts? Dust. I mean there's different ones. I'm allergic to animal panda. But I can eat peanuts. I just can't eat other nuts. Okay. That's why there's some people that are just allergic to the nuts themselves. There's other people that are allergic to the dust from the powder from the nuts. I don't know. I mean, so basically there's just the nuts. -Yeah. -Okay. Anything else? No. -Arthritis. -No. -Asthma? -Yes. Use an inhaler. What type inhaler do you use? You have any sort of dental problems? No. You suffer from withdrawals or DTs? No. -Diabetes? -No. -Epilepsy? -No. -Fainting spells? -No. -Do you have a doctor prescribed diet? -No. -Any urinary tract problems? Ulcers? -No. Medical questions have become an important part of the process when someone has been arrested. Concerns of negligence and in some cases, malicious intent have put such matters in the news media. The public must have some assurance that basin human rights are being met. -The neuro disease? -No. Have you ever tested positive for AIDS, tuberculosis, or hepatitis? No. Any type of heart or high blood pressure problems? Are you being treated for any mental health problems? Have you ever tried to kill or harm yourself? Are you feeling suicidal right now? Are you taking any medication? Yeah. Advil on top of the albuterol. Advil. -Advil? - Yeah. And alibra? -Alibra? -Yes sir. -Anything else? -No. Albuterol and alibra. Are any of those prescription? Who prescribed your medication? It’s a Dr. Bernstein. -Bernstein? -Yeah. Do you have any other medical problems that I need to know about? No, sir. Do you use alcohol? What do you drink when you do? -Beer. -Beer? And how often do you drink when you do? Not very. -Once a week, once a month? -Once a week. -Alcoholic beverages? -[Inaudible] Do you use any sort of street drugs? No. 50. Okay, thank you. You have medical insurance, right? What’s the name of the company? It’s Anthem. And Address. Speaker 3:23299 Brightwood Drive. Two words or one? One. -Violent offense? -No. This was a scar? Yeah, yeah. [Inaudible]. Mr. Ruthford, you drive looking sheets information that you just went over with. This is all your personal information about you, your home address, things like that, your scars marked tattoos and what your charges are. And signature at the X. Okay? This is all the items that you came in with from clothing down to your money. You have $3 and this is a medical questionnaire. All the medical questions we ask you about, your allergies, things like that. Signature from you there. Shoes, socks, anything’s laying down there and step right in that room for me, sir. Have a seat in the room chair. Mr. Ruthford, do you [inaudible] over here and finger print it. [Inaudible] for me. Rutherford has been issued his clothing and his prints are being taken. Soon he will be escorted to his cell. Do you guys have my cell phone that I could look up my mom’s cell phone number? No, cell phones would’ve been seized as evidence, so I don’t have them or have access to them. They’re not home. That won’t make calls to the cell phone anyway. They can’t accept the collect calls on him. Most cell phones, that doesn’t work. I need your signature right here. Okay. James Rutherford attempted to fight his charges in court, but after his defense attorney performed poorly, he chose to plead guilty. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, followed by 36 months on probation. Rutherford is no longer allowed to be around minors and his teaching license has been revoked during the time of this sting. Rutherford was also involved with another decoy, although it is unclear that if that interaction had any effect on his sentencing. He was placed on the Ohio State sex offender registration, but only had to report for six years. Rutherford was ordered to seek counseling and it was determined that he would continue to need treatment for a long period of time. After this case became known to the public, the mother of one of Rutherford’s students reached out to the police to thank them. She then revealed that her daughter was being targeted by Rutherford and had become so uncomfortable that she did not want to attend class. James Rutherford has since remarried, and so far has not been caught in any new offense. Thanks again for watching. Don’t forget to like the video, and if you want to support the channel even more, there’s a Patreon link in the description below. Stay safe and I’ll see you in the next video.