Stephanie Ragusa
Posted by Webmaster in FE-MV, Florida, High Profile Cases, Math, Middle Schools(3/13/08 - Initial BBT Report)
Stephanie Marie Ragusa, 28, a former teacher at Davidsen Middle School in Tampa, Florida has been arrested and charged with five counts of lewd and lascivious battery on allegations of having sex with a 15-year-old boy.
It is alleged that Ragusa had a sexual relationship with the boy and that she had sex with him five times between Oct. 1, 2006 to May 4, 2007.
The alleged victim was never a student of Ragusa, although he attended Davidsen Middle School when Ragusa taught there.
Ragusa who currently works as a math teacher at Martinez Middle School in Lutz, Florida has been placed on paid administrative leave.
In the wake of her arrest, Ragusa was being held without bond at the Hillsborough County Jail. A bond hearing has been set for March 19th.
Investigators now say that Ragusa performed oral sex on the boy twice, and allegedly had intercourse with him three other times. It is further alleged that the victim was also able to describe tattoos located on either side of Ragusa’s groin, tattoos which could only be seen if she wasn’t wearing clothes.
3/18/08 - Released on Bail
A bail bond hearing set for Wednesday was instead held today for Stephanie Ragusa.
Bail was set at at $12,500 and Ragusa made bail and was released from jail shortly after the hearing.
Ragusa has reportedly be placed on unpaid administrative leave by the school system.
04/03/08 - Affidavit Reveals Details of Allegations
An affidavit filed in the case of Stephanie Ragusa reveals several details of the allegations against her including that Ragusa allegedly told the boy he was shy and she could break him of that.
The affidavit also reveals details of the alleged sexual activities between Ragusa and the boy.
04/15/08 - Stephanie Ragusa Arrested Again
Stephanie Ragusa has been arrested again after investigators were able to obtain cell phone text message records linking her relationship with another 15-year-old male victim.
Her arrest today was reportedly on charges of lewd and lascivious battery and 2 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
The latest arrest and charges stem from allegations that Ragusa and the boy had an ongoing sexual relationship as recently as March 10, 2008. Police say that on that date that Ragusa and the alleged victim exchanged text messages, met and investigator say they engaged in oral sex and intercourse.
Following today’s arrest Ragusa was taken to the Orient Road Jail where she is being held pending bond.
Ragusa’s two arrests and two sets of charges are alleging two different male teenage victims.
04/28/08 - Stephanie Ragusa Arrested Third Time
Stephanie Ragusa has been arrested yet again.
Reportedly Stephanie Ragusa was arrested today at the home of the second alleged victim.
Sheriff’s investigators say Ragusa has continued a sexual relationship with alleged victim #2, a 15-year-old boy.
Reportedly when the boy did not show up for school today, investigators went to his home and found him with Ragusa.
Following today’s arrest Ragusa was taken to the Orient Road Jail where she is being held without bond on two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Reportedly Ragusa is not talking to investigators…
04/30/08 - More Charges and More Problems
The bail bond company which put up the bond to free Stephanie Ragusa on her earlier arrests has decided to bail on her in light of her third arrest in six weeks.
On Friday prosecutors will attempt to get her earlier bonds revoked in spite of the bonding company’s actions.
For her Monday arrest Ragusa has been charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and three counts of lewd or lascivious battery.
05/02/08 - Bond Hearing Postponed
Today’s bond hearing for Stephanie Ragusa has been put off indefinitely.
Prosecutors are seeking to have Ragusa’s bond revoked on her two earlier arrests.
Ragusa’s lawyer Robert Herce again asked to postpone the hearing in order than he might prepare.
Ragusa remains jailed.
05/08/08 - Documents and Call Transcripts Released
Over the objections of Stephanie Ragusa’s attorney documents and a phone call transcript have been released which shed new light on the case against Ragusa.
Investigators say that Ragusa allegedly had sexual relationships with the four underage boys. She has thus far been charged with sex offenses against two boys. Investigators are not ruling out additional victims and the investigation continues.
Ragusa came to the attention of authorities when a girl at Davidsen Middle School told a school resource officer she had heard that Ragusa had sex with a student. The resource officer informed the principal of the allegation and the principal contacted sheriff’s deputies.
Shortly after Ragusa’s arrest, a teacher caught students passing a note about Ragusa. The note allegedly indicated that Ragusa has sex with other former and current students.
The call transcript indicates Ragusa was aware that her actions were criminal when the boy asked about their sexual relationship:
Ragusa: It’s illegal.
Victim: Oh.
Ragusa: It would be all over the news and everything:
Victim: Oh, like that one Debra Lafave thing?
Ragusa: Yeah.
Victim: Well, like what exactly that we did was wrong, though?
Ragusa: It’s illegal.
Victim: Like what, though?
Ragusa: You’re under 18; I’m over 18 and I don’t know; whatever.
05/19/08 - More Charges Filed, Case Consolidated
Today prosecutors filed formal charges against Stephanie Ragusa involving her second and third arrests on allegations of her having sex repeatedly with two underage students.
Prosecutors have consolidated all charges against Ragusa into a single criminal case.
Ragusa entered a not guilty plea to the charges and continues to be held without bond. Her next court date has been set for July 15.
06/06/08 - Ragusa Writes To Hulk Hogan’s Son
Stepahnie Ragusa, apparently one to never shy from attention, has made headlines again. This time for writing a letter to Nick Bollea, the 17-year-old son of Hulk Hogan. Nick Bollea is doing time in the Pinellas County Jail while Ragusa is being held in the Hillsborough County Jail.
Initially detention deputies in Pinellas County withheld Ragusa’s letter to Bollea, over questions about whether Ragusa accused of sex crimes against minors was permitted to communicate with Bollea. Eventually a copy of the letter was given to Bollea as well as being made public.
Excerpts from Ragusa to Bollea letter:
It’s not us, Nick, but something ‘off’ with society, that our situations garner more attention + print than the President, the election, or even an earthquake killing thousands. Nothing prepares you for nor prevents it; sensationalism.
We don’t know each other but we are both in similar situations with the media + a high degree of public scrutiny. I just want you to know that you are not alone. … Keep your head up and never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. You have more people supporting + pulling for you than you will ever know.
Kevin Hayslett, one of Bollea’s lawyers, said of Ragusa, “Nick has no desire to be Stephanie Ragusa’s pen pal”.
A wise move on Bollea’s part and a noteworthy play on words on the part of his attorney.
06/12/08 - Stephanie Ragusa Back In Court
Smiling Stephanie Ragusa was back in court today for a hearing to get a handwriting sample, possibly to attempt to match to the infamous Nick Bollea letter which made news headlines last week.
The judge continued the hearing until Monday and one can only wonder if Ragusa will be able to maintain that smile for that long.
06/16/08 - Judge Says Give Writing Sample
A judge this morning ordered Ragusa turn over a handwriting sample to state prosecutors.
The judge however denied the prosecutions request to prohibit Ragusa from having contact with minors. Prosecutor Rita Peters said she feared Ragusa is trying to ‘groom’ new victims.
Prosecutors indicated that they will revisit the issue if Ragusa starts writing more letters, which they say may be aimed at grooming more victims, even from behind bars.
07/08/08 - Tattoo Photos Released
In an apparent effort to counter what must have otherwise been a slow news day the Hillsborough County, Fla., State Attorney’s office just released photos of Stephanie Ragusa’s tattoos.
The “tattoo photo shoot” as revealed on myfoxtampabay.com is not much to brag about. The first photo is of a grainy “hands on hips pose” which shows no tattoos.
Three of the six photos show the “tramp stamp” on Ragusa’s lower back, a tattoo that could be viewed in numerous “innocent enough” scenarios, none of which imply sexual situations, all of which suggest bad taste.
The remaining two photos, show tattoos that appear to be well above the “bikini line” and if that is the case they would obviously be visible if she were wearing a bikini, thong or similar attire and of course if she were nude. Lacing sufficient frame of reference it is difficult to determine the exact location of those two tattoos, however from the photos it is obvious that she would not have to be nude to see them.
In any case, those that are interested can see for themselves at the above link, or simply write this latest “news release” off as more Ragusa-mania.
08/07/08 - Text Messages and Ragusa’s Last Will and Testament Released
The latest release of documents by the State Attorney’s Office in the case of Stephanie Ragusa includes text messages between Ragusa and one of the alleged victims and Ragusa’s Last Will and Testament.
Partial excerpts of alleged text messages between Ragusa and alleged victim:
Regarding a possible breakup:
Ragusa: I guess u have better options and fell out of love
Boy: NO! Im breaking up with u cuz of tony! I went by ur house and saw his truck yet again! Im done!
Ragusa: No I still love u deeply..
Regarding a vandalism report:
Ragusa: omg. Now I have the police questioning me on the home phone about the truck some warning would be nice.
Boy: I did give u a warning… I said the next time I saw the truck parked outside Im gona do something… And u said ok go ahead..
Ragusa: But now I have to cover up for it and not be blamed myself
Ragusa: They wanted all my friends that would have anything against tony. I told them I didn’t know anyone like that. So lets lay off the texting. … At least until this is resolved. By the way, u were r my girlfriend amy if anyone is watching me text since I don’t have your number saved im erasing all these messages too and I cleared my phone out too. Gotta go. Stick to the story
Ragusa: There are major problems here now. Tony and the police r on the way. They want to fingerprint the truck and take me down to the station.
Ragusa: The police have to fingerprint me too. Tony thinks I did it. So I may be in jail tonight..
Ragusa: Okay well baby. I need to get fingerprinted and protect u now. Lets hope nothing bad happens. R we still broken up?
Boy: No sweety Im sorry…
Ragusa: I love u. I have to go now… to the police station.
In a later text exchange:
Ragusa: Okay. So I should go home? … I’m trying so hard. And I was still willing yesterday. Do u understand the risk? I’m trying so hard. …. The whole thing is so risky and foolish. Esp if u aren’t at all patient or understanding.
Ragusa: I can’t do this anymore. I can’t continue living. This is all pain. I’m screwed either way.
Boy: Wat ur gona go kill ur self? Stephanie u say u don’t want ur dad to die but yet killing ur self is gona kill him..i guarantee u that if u do, ur not gonna see ur mom.
Ragusa: I am at my end. I’m just being honest. I can’t take much more of this. I want to be free to live how I want to live and who I want to live with.
In yet another text message exchange, a message from Ragusa allegedly to the boy:
Ragus: I loved today. The sex was amazing
Boy: YES I KNOW!
In another exchange:
Ragusa: Do u have a movie u want to watch at ur house? U know. In addition to… Wink wink.
Boy: No…
Ragusa: So no “date” … Which is what we really need. Bedroom girlfriend?! Baby. Lets try to do something romantic, different.
Boy: Like wat?
Ragusa: Idk. Can you think of anything. Maybe…giving each other massages.? Candle light. Music. Or pleasant/romantic movie
Boy: Then come over
Ragusa: With massage oil? Candles? Towels? Movie?
Boy: Idk whatever u want?
Ragusa: Tell me what u want.
In her will Ragusa allegedly wrote of the boy:
I cannot believe how lucky I was to have met you. Deep down, you are so warm + caring. Meet your potential, find love, happiness + a family of your own. U deserve no less.
Also in her will Ragusa allegedly wrote that she wants to be cremated and have a teaspoon her ashes thrown in the Gulf of Mexico and at the Roman Forum in Italy.
01/08/09 - Court Hearing On Ragusa Tape
Stephanie Ragusa was reportedly “all smiles” in court again as the judge decided to allow prosecutors to use a taped 17-minute conversation between Ragusa and a teenager she is accused of molesting at trial.
Ragusa’s attorney had tried to suppress the tape, preventing its use against Ragusa on the basis that it was not recorded while police were present but was instead recorded by the alleged victim.
Ragusa is expected to face trial later this year.
03/04/09 - Ragusa Says She Is Mistreated
Stephanie Ragusa in letters to Hillsborough County Chief Circuit Judge Manuel Menendez Jr. and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Col. David. M. Parrish has complained that she is being harassed by the staff at the Hillsborough County jail.
Ragusa also says that she is specifically concerned that jail staff is opening her mail to her attorney Robert A. Herce.
The next court date in Ragusa’s case is a March 19th status conference.
03/13/09 - Stephanie Ragusa Intereviewed
In an exclusive jailhouse interview with ABC Action News, Stephanie Ragusa disclosed that her seemingly ever-present smile is a “defense mechanism” and calls it the “grace of God Composure”.
Ragusa went on to declare herself a “vomit monster” and says she gets so nervous that she throws up before being shackled for a court appearance.
Ragusa also says that she is in love with only one person, her fiancé, former professional baseball player Tony Irvin.
03/19/09 - Trial Date Set
A judge has set an August 10th trial date for Stephanie Ragusa.
A pre-trial conference is set for August 4th.
References:
Judge Sets August Trial Date For Ragusa (03/19/09)
Ragusa Says Jail Mistreating Her (03/04/09)
Prosecution Can Use Taped Conversation Of Ex-Teacher, Boy (01/08/09)
Call admissible against teacher accused of sex with student (01/08/09)
Ragusa’s attorneys want tapes thrown out; judge denies request (01/08/09)
Ragusa’s text messages detail confessions of love and crime (08/07/08)
Embattled former teacher Ragusa spells out final wishes (08/07/08)
Documents Reflect Ragusa’s Relationships With Students, Principal (08/07/08)
Tattoo Photos Released of Tampa Teacher Accused of Repeatedly Having Sex With Students (07/08/08)
Photos Show Accused Florida Teacher’s Tattoos (07/08/08)
Teacher likely to have been fired without sex scandal (06/25/08)
Prosecutors try to muzzle teacher (06/16/08)
Stephanie Ragusa back in court (06/16/08)
Ragusa in court today (06/16/08)
Stephanie Ragusa back in court (06/12/08)
Accused Teacher Sends Bollea Her Sympathies (06/06/08)
Stephanie Ragusa Sends Letter To Nick Bollea (06/06/08)
Teacher accused in sex scandal writes to Nick Bollea (06/06/08)
Still smiling, Ragusa enters not-guilty plea (05/19/08)
State Files Formal Charges In Teacher-Students Sex Case (05/19/08)
Ragusa No Stranger To Turmoil (05/11/08)
Investigators: Ragusa had at least four victims (05/08/08)
Transcript Of Teacher-Student Conversation Released In Sex Case (05/08/08)
Stephanie Ragusa: “It will be all over the news” (05/08/08)
Bail Hearing Postponed Again In Teacher-Student Sex Case (05/02/08)
Bail hearing postponed for teacher (05/02/08)
Suspected sex teacher won’t be fired (04/30/08)
Bondsman bails on accused teacher (04/30/08)
Schoolteacher in heat? Woman arrested thrice (04/29/08)
Ragusa caught, arrested at victim’s home (04/28/08)
Deputies: Teacher continued seeing student after arrest (04/28/08)
Hillsborough teacher arrested for the third time (04/28/08)
New sex charges for Tampa teacher (04/28/08)
Hillsborough teacher suspected in sex crimes busted for third time (04/28/08)
Teacher Fibbed About Honor On Resume - And Misspelled It (04/16/08)
Teacher Charged For Sex With 2nd Student (04/16/08)
Teacher re-arrested on charge of sex with another student (04/15/08)
Hillsborough County Teacher arrested again (04/15/08)
Tampa teacher arrested, again! (04/15/08)
Details Of Accusations Against Teacher Revealed (04/03/08)
Teacher posts bail, placed on unpaid leave following sex charge (3/18/08)
Teacher In Sex Case Leaves Jail (3/18/08)
Teacher Was Hired Despite Arrests (3/15/08)
Deputies: Teacher, boy had multiple sexual encounters (3/14/08)
Teacher arrested for having sex with student (3/13/08)
Teacher Accused Of Sex With Teen (3/13/08)
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June 6th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Hmm if i was 15 and she came onto me, I would say yes in a heartbeat
March 31st, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Well you know why she was always smiling in all those mug shots? Its because she was having so much sex!!! Its good they keep juveniles away from adults in prisons, you never know she might be a switch hitter playing both sides of the field, if you catch my drift.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Personally if I was 15 again and she came onto me, then I would have totally tapped that. I think she is a predator or has some mental issue though because why would she continue to see kids after getting busted? Maybe it was like a drug to her, the feeling of doing something bad while getting off at the same time?
Its really quite silly what she threw away, her career and her anonymity. She could have just gone to the bar if she wanted to pick up men, besides who would want to fool around with a kid that doesn’t know what they are doing? She could have lit up a spliff in the privacy of her home if she felt like bending the law too, but to go back 3 times and to write a letter to Hogan’s son is really ridiculous on her part.
March 27th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Bimbo’s like Ragusa are so “mentally challenged” that they can only have relationship’s with teens or younger. On her best day; she’s maybe a 4-4.5/10. Men her age wouldn’t give her a second glance. What the gov has to do is make pedophilia a “mandatory 25-LIFE”….that should weed out alot of these “popcorn headline” wannabes….
March 13th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
when will this circus freak show end?
March 8th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
what a lucky boy. I’d totally tap that if I was a teenager.
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
(Deleted by site moderator) I think these boys are victims and I am not stupid. I was 15 once myself and understand the torrent of emotions and testosterone that courses through a teenaged boy’s body on a daily basis. It is every young teen boy’s fantasy to be sexually desired by an older woman. It is normal.
But that does not make it right. That does not make it legal. That does not mean that that young teen gets to decide what the rules are and what laws can or should be broken and what emotional damage or harm he should be allowed to suffer for the sake of bragging rights in the neighborhood. He does not know how it will hurt him in the years to come. He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.
And, simple one, there are all too often emotional and spiritual consequences for the teen victims that will have a lasting effect and will require years of therapy and pain and guilt to overcome. (Deleted by site moderator)
I think all of these underage victims are, yes, victims: legally, morally, spiritually, ethically. That you do not think they are says so-o-o-o much more about your own ethical and moral shortcomings that is does about anyone who defends their innocence.
Grow up.
This comment has been edited by site moderator in accordance with site policies as outlined in the “Comments” page.
January 11th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Apparently, Mike has some, umm, ideas, about the alleged crimes that don’t fit reality.
For one, whether or not the students are sexually experienced, the teacher is a role model and more importantly, the head of a class. She decides whether a kid gets an ‘A’ or an ‘F’ — and thus decides his academic future. The last thing you want is a teacher who will screw the students. After all, if she will have sex with students, she has no boundaries. She will be willing to hand out an ‘F’ to a student because he doesn’t sleep with her while doling out ‘A’s’ to those who do. She’s not basing the grades on classwork and learning. Therefore she doesn’t belong in the classroom.
This is akin to the boss of a company sleeping with the staff. The boss is the guy who can decide whether someone gets a raise, a promotion or a pink slip. And chances are, based on any sane person’s experience, that the guy who will sleep with the staff has no sense of boundaries and will behave capriciously against employees who won’t sleep with hm. As such a boss should be fired for sleeping with the staff, so should a teacher lose her job and go to prison for her actions.
The most important reason that Ragusa’s actions are criminal is because what she is doing is abusive. No matter a teen’s sexual experience, that kid is inexperienced and lacks full knowledge of the consequences of behavior, sexual or otherwise. As a teen without a fully-developed sense of consequences, he can be conditioned by a knowledgeable adult to participate in behavior that can lead to pregnancy, disease and emotional problems.
These kids aren’t just some horny 30-year-old men longing to make real the fantasy of being hot for teacher. They are 15. And if you think about being 15 — and not in any nostalgic way — you will remember that you were screwed up, didn’t fully have a sense of identity, insecure and easily convinced of anything. A 15-year-old, in essence, isn’t ready for sexual activity, much less with an adult.
Based on the prosecution evidence so far, Ragusa is a sexual predator. She needs to be kept away from teens and anyone who’s balls haven’t fully dropped yet and isn’t able to grow a full-connecting goatee.