Westminster police in Colorado are warning the public after arresting and charging a man who offered counseling as an alternative therapist and psychedelic integration specialist with sexual assault, adding that there may be additional victims.
48-year-old Trinidad Ruiz was arrested following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault from a woman who sought him out for private, unlicensed, alternative therapy.
The suspect is charged with sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist by penetration and intrusion.
The victim said she sought Ruiz out for counseling to "deal with previous trauma" and reported to police that she suffered sexual assault at her session on May 12, 2023.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may have had an inappropriate sexual interaction with Ruiz to reach out to Westminster Police at 303-658-4360 (option 2) and reference case 2023-08678.
His LinkedIn page identifies Ruiz as the owner of Holistic and Integrative Consulting in Broomfield as a mental health therapist and psychedelic integration specialist and coach.
Ruiz holds an active temporary permit for a "licensed professional counselor candidate" issued by the state in September 2020. The license is set to expire on Sept 25, 2024.
Police said they are "unaware if/where Mr. Ruiz has a practice or if he is currently seeing patients," which they said is part of the reason for putting out the news release.
"The detective filed the case in November of 2023 and Mr. Ruiz was arrested in January 2024. At the request of the DA's office, this additional press release was issued in case there were other victims," said Cheri Spotke, Westminster Police.
