Man faces further charges and accusations of sexual abuse of children in Clermont County

A man has been charged with an additional sex crime against a child in Clermont County after being charged with similar charges in Hamilton County last year. Keith Cruz, 52, was charged with rape and sexual abuse of children in Hamilton County last September. Now, according to the Clermont County District Attorney, Cruz has been charged with 72 additional counts. The charges in Cruz’s indictment include rape of a child under the age of 13, gross sexual assault and sexual abuse of the same child, pimping in a sexually oriented matter with a minor, and pimping in an obscene manner with a minor. Officials say Cruz faces up to 900 years to life in prison if convicted on the Clermont County rape charges alone. Cruz is currently serving time in the Hamilton County judicial system. Clermont County officials say their case came to light after the first charges against Cruz were announced, and Loveland police asked if anyone else believed they might have been a victim of him. Authorities say Cruz gained access to his victims by having romantic relationships with the children’s mothers. He did not discriminate between the sexes in his crimes, officials say. Loveland police are continuing to investigate any possible victims of Cruz. If you have any information, you are asked to call 513-583-3000.