Ruggles pleads guilty of incest at trial

A local man accused of incest entered a guilty plea recently on the second day of his trial.

Billy James Ruggles, 32, entered a guilty plea to incest on the second day of his court trial. According to Logan Prosecuting Attorney John Bennett, Ruggles faced multiple charges on two victims.

Court documents said Ruggles may face the Habitual Criminal Act.

In his plea agreement, Ruggles pleaded guilty to incest and stated he was addicted to pain pills, was under the care of a physician for a mental disorder and has a short-term memory problem. In Ruggles’ plea agreement, he said the victim came to his room and ‘We talked, kissed and eventually had sex."

Ruggles faces 5-15 years in prison. In return for the guilty plea, three other charges against him were dismissed. Ruggles is lodged in the Southwestern Regional Jail at Holden awaiting sentencing.