Stephanie Ragusa sentenced to 10 years behind bars

TAMPA - Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe has sentenced former Hillsborough County teacher, Stephanie Ragusa, to ten years in prison. After several witnesses testified against Ragusa or in her favor, Judge Tharpe issued her sentence around 3:50 p.m.

She had hoped to convince the judge that the time she had already served, two years, was enough and that probation may be in order.

Ragusa spoke shortly before her sentence, asking for the court to show mercy saying, "I've grown mentally, emotionally and spiritually."

Despite Ragusa's pleas, Judge Tharpe said if he could sum up her demeanor in one word, it would be "arrogance".

"You're very selfish person" he said.

In addition to ten years in prison, Ragusa is sentenced to 15 years of probation.

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.

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.

In 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.