Stephanie Ragusa Sentenced To 10 Years — Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe has sentenced former Hillsborough County teacher, Stephanie Ragusa, to 10 years in prison. After Stephanie Ragusa text messages released followed by several witnesses testified for or against Ragusa’s favor, Judge Tharpe issued her sentence around 3:50 p.m. Judge Tharpe said if he could some up her demeanor in one word, it would be “arrogance”. egarding Ragusa, he said, “You’re very selfish person” for ignoring the law, the impact her actions had on families and Ragusa’s brother, who has special needs.
Ragusa, her hair braided in cornrows, appeared with her attorney, Robert Herce. When asked by the Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe if she was under the influence of any drugs, she conferred with Herce and replied that she was on a number of prescription medications.
“You understand you’re here for sentencing,” asked Tharpe. “Yes,” Ragusa replied.
Prosecutors then began presenting witnesses and recorded evidence. One witness said she was the mother of one of the victims. Ragusa pleaded guilty earlier in March to three counts of having sex with two boys who were 14 and 16-years-old. She was 28. The encounters took place in her SUV and her apartment.
Stephanie Ragusa was arrested on three separate occasions. She was arrested in March 2008 after a 15-year-old boy said he had sex with her when he was 14. Iin April 2008, Ragusa was arrested again after a 16-year-old said he had sex with her.
Ragusa, now 31, was arrested again later that same month after investigators determined she had been with one of the boys again. Stephanie Ragusa sentenced to 10 years in prison on each count.
No comments:
Post a Comment