Director of Career Center arrested

Russell A. Bruch, Director of the CSUS Career Center, was arrested Friday in Davis on suspicion of sending sexually explicit e-mails to a minor.

Bruch, 58, was arrested after a three-week investigation that began after a "state mandated reporter" informed police of the inappropriate correspondence. Such reporters include teachers, firemen, police, and school counselors.

The 16-year-old Davis high school student was communicating with Bruch about assistance in a drama production when she became concerned by the increasingly sexual nature of the e-mails. Under guidance of the region's High Tech task force, Davis police posed as the girl, responding to Bruch's letters until the suspect made arrangements to meet the girl in an apartment she was house-sitting.

When Bruch arrived at the apartment, he was arrested.

Search warrants were issued for Bruch's home and office, and computers were seized from both locations. Davis police served both warrants shortly after the 5:45 p.m. arrest.

"E-mails were sent from both his home and office," said Lt. Steven Pierce of the Davis Police Department. "One of our concerns is that this was done before. He archived his e-mails, which, if he's done this before, will help us."

Pierce said that some of the e-mail had been sent from the CSUS Skynet system, a network used by faculty, staff, and administrators for records and Internet access.

According to Davis police, Bruch was aware that the girl was under 18 and a high school student because he knew the girl prior to the e-mail communication.

Bruch was arrested for attempted statutory rape, attempted oral copulation, burglary, and sending harmful matter with the intent of seduction of a minor. All four charges are felonies.

Bruch has been employed at CSUS for the last 10 years, primarily in the Career Center, said David Wagner, Dean of Faculty and Staff Affairs.

"He has been placed on administrative leave, pending our ability to review the evidence," said Wagner, who added that the campus becomes concerned whenever state resources are used inappropriately. "At this time, we're not privy to the full police investigation file and without such, we cannot draw any conclusions," he said.

Arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday in Yolo County court. Bruch is free on $20,000 bail.

Pierce said additional charges might be filed in the case as investigators search through Bruch's e-mail archives.