A Leesburg man convicted of selling his dead aunt’s belongings from the back of a U-haul has landed back behind bars.
A judge has revoked the probation of 45-year-old Bruce Ruff who was being held this weekend at the Marion County Jail.
Ruff had been convicted in 2019 of selling his deceased aunt’s possession from the back of a U-haul truck. He had gone to his aunt’s house in Dunnellon and removed several items of furniture and some appliances, loading them into a U-Haul truck. He also took a horse trailer which he sold.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies were contacted by a niece regarding the removal of the items and she presented the deputies with legal documents showing that she was the executor and heir to the aunt’s estate.
Deputies were able to find witnesses who said that Ruff sold his aunt’s possessions from the back of a U-haul in the parking lot of an apartment complex.
Deputies obtained a bill of sale for the horse trailer. The bill of sale had been signed by Ruff even though Ruff had no legal standing to sell the trailer.
Ruff was found guilty in 2019 of dealing in stolen property. He was ordered to pay $821.50 in fines and court costs and was placed on probation for 36 months.
He failed to make ordered payments and did not comply with the terms of his probation.
This past Thursday in Marion County Court, Ruff was ordered to ordered to serve 27 days in jail and pay additional fines and court costs.
