Sex case adjourned due to deportation possibility.

Arturo Ruiz Lopez with translator Viola Sotomayor and attorney Ryan Glandville.

By Allison Scarbrough. Courts/Police Editor.

LUDINGTON — A final conference hearing in a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) case was adjourned in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 12, because the defendant has not yet consulted with an immigration attorney.

Arturo Ruiz Lopez, 59, of 605 S. Washington Ave., Ludington, appeared in court with his attorney, Ryan Glandville, and a Spanish-English translator, Viola Sotomayor.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowski asked Lopez if he is a US citizen, and he answered, “No.” Sniegowski then asked him if he has spoken with an immigration attorney, and he again answered, “No.”

Sniegowski said the conference had to be adjourned, because Lopez needs to understand the possibility of deportation.

The conference was adjourned to May 10 at 3:30 p.m.

Lopez faces two counts of first-degree CSC, which are punishable by up to life in prison, and two counts of third-degree CSC, which have a 15-year maximum. He was arrested March 1 by Ludington Police Department in connection to the sexual assault of two Ludington children.

Bail was set at $250,000 cash/surety for the first-degree CSC charges and $75,000 cash/surety for the third-degree CSC charges. He remains lodged in the Mason County Jail.