TAMPA, Fla. _ Stephanie Ragusa, the former Davidsen Middle School teacher who spent six years in state prison after having sex with two students, escaped more sanctions Tuesday when prosecutors dropped a probation violation case against her.
The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office decided there was no legally sufficient basis to move forward after reviewing case law and the circumstances of Ragusa's violation, Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Johnson told Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian during an afternoon hearing.
Public Defender Rocky Brancato had filed a motion to dismiss the violation, arguing that her conduct was an "isolated, unanticipated and inadvertent" incident rather than a "willful, substantial violation."
According to the court documents, Ragusa was at the Clearwater Beach Hooters with her girlfriend when they ran into the girlfriend's aunt and daughter. Ragusa was so caught up in her girlfriend's happiness over seeing the girl that she allowed herself to be photographed with them, the motion says. Realizing she was violating the terms of her probation, the records say, Ragusa distanced herself from the girl.
Ragusa, 39, of Clearwater, admitted the contact to her probation officer, who recommended the court put her on two years of house arrest. A judge could also have sent her back to prison.
The motion to dismiss the violation noted that Ragusa has not had previous violations in 19 months of probation and has completed other requirements. Ragusa is a full-time student working on a master's degree in business at Keiser University since August 2017, records show.
Dressed in an orange jumpsuit after spending nearly 20 days in jail, Ragusa left the courtroom with a stern warning from Nazaretian.
"I do realize you've done some good things with your probation, but it's very important to me that you appreciate that (probation) conditions are court orders. They're not suggestions," the judge said. "Do you understand that?"
"Yes, I understand, sir," Ragusa said, no trace of the characteristic smile she became known for in mug shots and courtroom photos.
Ragusa's troubles began in 2008, when she was first accused of having sex with a teenage student. At the time, she taught special education at Davidsen Middle School.
She first encountered the 14-year-old male victim when he helped push her in a wheelchair after she injured her foot. She told him she could help him overcome shyness. She later brought the boy to her apartment, where they had sex on three occasions.
Ragusa had sex 20 times with a second boy, age 16. She was arrested and told to stay away from him, but they were later caught together and she was sent back to jail.
At her 2010 sentencing, Circuit Judge Chet A. Tharpe said she showed "arrogance" and a "lackadaisical attitude." He gave her 10 years in prison, followed by 15 years' probation.
Ragusa was released from prison in 2016.
