Court convicts officer for using fake identity to wire money

Published 4:35 pm Saturday, December 13, 2014

ST. PAUL — A St. Paul Police officer has been convicted of a felony for using a fake identity to send money to her boyfriend in jail.

Ruby Diaz, 38, was convicted of felony electronic identity theft in Ramsey County District Court Friday, but was acquitted of two forgery charges. Diaz admitted using her friend’s name to wire $1,500 to Ramone Smaller, a 22-year-old known gang member imprisoned for attempted murder.

Diaz’s sentencing is scheduled for February. She has been on paid leave from the St. Paul Police Department pending the outcome of her case.

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Chief Thomas Smith said he’ll soon make a decision about her future with the department. Minnesota law says an officer convicted of a felony has his or her license automatically revoked.