News

Second ex-Plum High School teacher pleads guilty in student sex-abuse case

PITTSBURGH — The second former Plum high school teacher accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student pleaded guilty Monday afternoon.

Former Plum teacher Joseph Ruggieri will now spend two to five years in prison. In addition to his jail time, he will spend five years on probation and will be a registered sex offender for life. He will also be evaluated as a possibly sexually violent predator.

“He is a very intelligent person who could do a lot of good in society,” Ruggieri’s attorney said following the announcement.

Much like what happened with fellow ex-Plum teacher, Jason Cooper, Judge Davis Cashman considered rejecting the plea deal because he felt the sentence was too light.

Ultimately, he accepted it at the request of the victim and her family.

Ruggieri also pleaded guilty to witness intimidation.

“My client has accepted a significant jail sentence," said defense attorney Anthony DeLuca. "So he has accepted responsibility. I have met with him countless times and he is humbled by the situation.”

After getting charged, investigators said Ruggieri made numerous attempts to contact the victim and convince her not to testify.

The victim said this, in part of her impact statement in court Monday:

"The pain and punishment coming your way is well deserved…You ruined my life and turned me away from every single person I grew close to."

The victim added that he is dealing with depression and insomnia since the incident.

Judge Cashman said he opted not to testify and make the victim go through more pain.

The victim's family gave this statement following the plea:

On behalf of our daughter and her extended family, we would like to offer our thanks to Detective Marc Focareta and the District Attorneys Office for helping us get through what has been a very difficult and painful time.  We would also like to thank Judge Cashman for accepting the terms of this plea allowing us to avoid having to relive the past few years in open court.
 
Today's outcome is not perfect, nothing in life ever is, but it will allow our daughter and all of us to look toward the future and move forward with our lives.  It will always be profoundly disappointing that an individual who chose a career in which you work to benefit the greater good, in this case with children, instead chose to use that position to benefit his own selfish needs.  As a result, our daughter's high school years will always be clouded by the actions of this predator.
 
Our daughter has shown great courage in facing what took place and we are emboldened by that courage and by the fact that she has grown into a beautiful and strong young woman whose future is incredibly bright.

Ruggieri did apologize in court. The victim's mother did address Ruggieri in court. She said she forgives him, not because he deserves it, but because it's the only way to heal and move forward.

Cox Media Group

Most Read