A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

McHENRY MAN CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH BANKRUPTCY CRIME

ROCKFORD — JOSEPH F. RUIZ, 54, of McHenry, Ill., was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Rockford for concealment of an asset in a bankruptcy case.

As alleged in the indictment, Ruiz filed a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition on January 25, 2013.

The indictment alleges that Ruiz fraudulently concealed a personal injury claim from the bankruptcy trustee.

The personal injury claim allegedly arose out of injuries suffered by Ruiz on March 19, 2009.

The charge in this case carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 5 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from that offense, whichever is greater.

The judge may also impose a sentence of probation of one to five years, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.

If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and William Hedrick, Acting Postal Inspector in Charge, Chicago, Illinois.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Love.