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Police: Teacher Arrested After 2-Person Field Trip
News Channel 8 photo by ROD CHALLENGER
Gibbs High School science teacher Darren Snieszko is charged with interfering with custody. Police say he encouraged a 16-year-old girl attending Gibbs to go on what he called a field trip to Lowry Park Zoo alone with him.
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Published: April 30, 2008
Updated: 04/30/2008 03:39 pm
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ST. PETERSBURG - A Gibbs High School science teacher was arrested today on charges that he engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student, police said.
The official charge against Darren Snieszko, 25, of St. Petersburg, is interference with custody, a felony.
According to an arrest affidavit, Snieszko encouraged a 16-year-old girl attending Gibbs High to go on what he called a field trip to Lowry Park Zoo, but there were no other students or teachers involved with the trip, the affidavit states.
Snieszko paid for the girl's admission with his Pinellas County teacher's discount card, said St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt. The spokesman characterized the outing as a date.
Darren Snieszko
He also sent the 16-year-old girl a variety of romantic messages, using MySpace, cell phone text messages, and e-mail messages, Proffitt said.
The girl and her mother went to the police station April 11 to complain. Another female student at the school also is claiming Snieszko took her on a trip, but Snieszko has not been charged in that incident, Proffitt said.
Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.
Reader Comments
Posted by ( jesusfreak54848 ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Who goes to Lowry Park Zoo on a date? He could've at least picked Busch Gardens...
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Posted by ( Jen1897 ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LOL I just can't believe the stupidity of people.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
A "one-on-one" field trip with an underaged high school girl? Nice.
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Posted by ( sunsh1ne ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh boy here we go again
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Posted by ( GF ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why couldn't Snieszko have run into Ragusa?
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Posted by ( whasup ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Who HIRES these people?
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Posted by ( pcdebb ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
at some point this is getting really stupid. thats why kids arent learning squat in school today, the teachers are trying to "learn them something else"
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Posted by ( jviars ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Its called extra creit. What is wrong with that? We all stayed after and participated for better grades in school. Its not like they went to a strip club. They went to the zoo!!
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Posted by ( diego_schmiago ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well now .. Mr. Snieszko is clearly a moron as he should have known better. He probably had bad intentions and hoped for sex with these students. He should have been disciplined and maybe fired by the school system. But arrested for bad judgement? What did he ACTUALLY do that warrants and arrest?
Me thinks a little overboard and flimsy reason to evidence. Me thinks knee-jerk policing taking place based on public outcry over recent spate of teacher-student "liasons".
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Posted by ( jp2 ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
AT what point are we going to FIRE the person in charge of the school system?
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Posted by ( chuckhill ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Who hires these people? Principals and the HR department in Pinellas County.
The Pinellas school system turns away many qualified applicants who have no history and no inclination to become involved in ANY type of inappropriate behavior with students. These are people with proven ability and behavior.
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Posted by ( Doofy ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He's too pretty for jail.
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Posted by ( scbrownsr ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My wife is a teacher and I argue all the time that there needs to be an age gap between teachers and students. For example, a 25 year old individual should not be teaching in a highschool. I suggest maybe a 15-20 year gap should be allowed. This should cut down on this relationship issue. Leave the younger teachers for elementary. I doubt they are that sick to deal with elementary children. I think there is also too much temptation on both sides for these young teachers. The clothes these young girls are wearing now is ridiculous. When I was young there were no such things as low rise jeans and thongs. If there were, the girls weren’t trying to wear that because they were too busy playing dodge ball with us. Dress codes for teachers and students; age gaps.
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Posted by ( Zipnby ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is on going joke/problem. Someone's head needs to roll! SOMEONE AT THE TOP!!!
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Posted by ( VatoLoco ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He looks about 16 himself. I don't get why this is against the law. All they did was go to the zoo.
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Posted by ( Ryan_Levi_Lesswick ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He looks like he's 16, so I don't see any problem with him dating a 16 year old.
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Posted by ( Ryan_Levi_Lesswick ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He almost pulled a "Ragusa" I think i see a little smirk!
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Posted by ( Claylisa ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
DAM! The freaky-teacher-virus has come across the bay to St. Pete. Sonfabi--h! Nice going, Tampa. Thanks!
I told ya'll this is why Wlicox was leaving...gettin' outta dodge early. Smart man, real smart.
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Posted by ( signit4bes ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wonder if Ragusa will be his cellmate? Eeeeeehhh! Sorry pal. You lose. But we do have a concession prize for you. His name is Bubba.
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Posted by ( mr_hanky ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Affirmative, that would be a smirk....
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( Bobknowsitall ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I bet he does not get the sweetheart deals all the ladies have been getting over the last few years. He did not touch her or sleep with her, but I bet you he will get more time then all of them combined. Watch and see. Double standard.
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Posted by ( picogator ) on April 30, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Someone with real authority needs to examine the teacher hiring practices in the Tampa Bay area. Perhaps having overactive hormones in both sexes is now a pre-requsite for getting a job!
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Posted by ( queenbruiser ) on April 30, 2008 at 4 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If he'd have been a year younger and not her teacher, it would have been legal.
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on April 30, 2008 at 4 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( crysntrin ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
what mother let her daughter go alone to Lowry park to meet the teacher...? stupid!
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Posted by ( GKingen ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is the guy Ragosa should have been chasing, they were made for each other, and besides at 25 he would still qualify as a younger man...
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Posted by ( mmiller ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Great!!! Now welfare is going to be on the RISE!! We'll all have to quit our jobs and home school our kids to keep them from being molested at school. Charlie Christ better get this under control QUICK!!!
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Posted by ( JamieKrueger ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
When you pay teachers less than they could make at 7-11, what kind of people do you think are going to take that job?
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Posted by ( retired2010 ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well one way of cutting the next year school budget Teachers gone wild this is getting old maybe the school system needs to get a new phych test or different person giving the test this person is not doing a good job
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Posted by ( Zipnby ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Where is Charlie Christ? I want to here Christ's spin on this! Hello Charlie, are you out there??? Hello????
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Posted by ( BlueJar ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To scbrownsr: I agree...Even when I was in high school, there were several 25 year-olds of both sexes teaching and the flirting between students and teachers was constant. I saw plenty of kids responding to it and believe me, their parents were never aware of anything. There SHOULD be a bigger age gap.
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Posted by ( VatoLoco ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
crysntrin, the mother didn't "let" her go...the girl went thinking it was a group field trip, not just her and her teacher. Mom found out later.
What an idiot you are.
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Posted by ( mr_hanky ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Whoa, alted, what's with the deleted posts today??
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Posted by ( 1voice ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm getting confused. So is this the fault of George Bush, the 16 y/o girls or those who voted yes for Amendment 1?
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Posted by ( tara4444 ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a moron!
Who is hiring all of these awful teachers?
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Posted by ( wtf ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
WHERE IS THE CRIME? DID THEY HAVE SEX? MAYBE HE WANTED TO TEACH HER SOMETHING.. "HERE IS A ZEBRA, HERE IS A GOAT...AND LOOK HERE AND YOU CAN SEE MY C*CK"
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Posted by ( jeffresq ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What ever happened to "What happens at Lowery Park Zoo STAYS at Lowery Park Zoo"?
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Posted by ( tara4444 ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
BlueJar - I just saw your comment.
You are right on. But then wouldn't it seem even sicker, if he was 40 and she was 16? We are damned if we do and damned if we don't.
I'm a university professor and it is bad enough to hear about teacher/student relationships at this level - but at least the students are of legal age.
More restrictions and screeing are needed if you are to be considered to teach high schoolers.
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Posted by ( RingMyBell ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Once again, some of you are simply too funny! The story is not funny, but you guys are.
Oddly enough, all of these teacher/student problems are not the product of any sting operation, they are just coming out all on their own. It makes one wonder if it's like rats or roaches.......once you see one or two, you know there are many, many more, living out of sight.
This is bad news.
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on April 30, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( RingMyBell ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
alted, I did see your posts, and they were funny. But, I don't think you can use spank and monkey together, esp. with "'s. Oh, boy, your going to get deleted again.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is really getting strange. With all the teachers who have been accused recently, wouldn't you think that would cause teachers (even if they were inclined to be pedophiles) to be a little more careful about their actions? It seems like its encouraging them to join the crowd instead. How stupid do you have to be???
And since this does not seem to be happening anywhere else in the country, why is it just here? All these teachers aren't being hired by the same school board are they? There is a cause we haven't figured out yet? There must be.
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Posted by ( anonymous4459 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I go to this school, and I know the girl. Since the day I met her she has been a lier who is absolutely desperate for attention. She lied about this and she has lied about other "relationships" in the past.
And no, that is not a smirk. Don't be jerks, please.
And he happens to be a fantastic teacher, who really motivates his students. I was never interested in science until he got me excited about it.
And you can say that the trip wasn't meant to be educational. But the man's specialty is reptiles!
Also, if this "date" truly did occur, if you match the girl's claims and the facts, he would have been 24 when it happened. So if he weren't a teacher, it would have been beyond perfectly legal.
There are other teachers fighting for this man. And there are PARENTS of his STUDENTS fighting for him. These are people who know him and the circumstances. He is not guilty. He is not AT ALL guilty.
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Posted by ( bigpapi09 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
scbrownsr: I am a 25 year old teacher of high school students. I totally disagree with you about the age gap. If I wanted to work at an elementary school I would just be a babysitter. No thank you. And there is not too much temptation of you are a normal person. It makes me sick to think of even looking at a young boy the wrong way. Ragusa is a sick sick person and has mental issues. And so do these other people that do these things. Maybe we all need mental screening before we get hired to weed out the whacko's. But I dress very appropriately and never even let a boy or girl touch me or come near me. I love what I do, I teach science to high school kids, and there are no issues whatso ever. And no I am not 300 pounds either! I am an attractive young teacher who gets along great with the kids and there is no reason I can't teach them, it's the freaks like these teachers that need to be put away.
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Posted by ( lola ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If he were a female with blonde hair and blues eyes he'd have nothing to worry about. Unfortunatley he's not too pretty for jail. And I'm sure he'll get more than house arrest.
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Posted by ( anonymous4459 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Also, those "romantic messages" weren't like that. Just like you all are making sarcastic remarks that your pastor would not be happy with, that was what he did. He made a joke. He's 25 and has the same sense of humor as all of you, and of a lot of his students.
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Posted by ( livinglife ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How come I never got any free field trips in high school? If only I was born about 10 years later, maybe I would of gotten lucky! You know he kinda looks like a zoo animal w/those big ears! Wonder what went down in the "petting" zoo area?
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Posted by ( Irish_5150 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
(bigpapi09) I agree with you as well. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg for these individuals. Ragusa has something much deeper going on with her than most think. We as parents need to teach our kids what is going on. THe school system also needs to have a form of pysch test given to all of their employees, not just teachers.
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Posted by ( anonymous_user ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let's just be careful that this doesn't turn into a witch hunt. His actions seem a lot less drastic than so many of the other teachers. Also, from hearing that his specialty is in animals, the zoo seems like an appropriate place. I just hope that these detectives are doing a very thorough investigation. It could become very easy to start a crucible-esk witch hunt
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Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I take issue with the remarks of the Gibbs Student who is attempting to defend the actions of this Idiot Science teacher.
First and most important given your age, there is EVERYTHING wrong with a 16 year old dating a 24 yr old! Just ask your parents, if they are responsible parents, I am sure they will be happy to clarify this important point with you.
As for an innocent trip to the zoo with her teacher, are you really that naive or also an idiot?
Finally let’s not forget the evidence claimed by the police. An email, phone texts of a romantic or sexual nature between a teenager student and adult teacher is abnormal, get it???
Please pay attention in class and stop making excuses for a person who put himself into this position by abusing his authority as a teacher and being an idiot. Attacking the student involved is not very mature of you. Grow up and use some common sense before you also become one of the many idiots roaming Florida.
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Posted by ( Irish_5150 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
( anonymous_user )
Do you really think this was an innocent trip to the zoo? Come on now, why would "He also sent the 16-year-old girl a variety of romantic messages, using MySpace, cell phone text messages, and e-mail messages, Proffitt said" Sounds more than what any honest teacher would do. If it was innocent, why didn't he take the ENTIRE CLASS?!
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Posted by ( tara4444 ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Bigpapi- More power to you. We need more people like you. Someone thirty years older isn't going to get through to students like a younger teacher. I have no patience to teach kids, which is why I am a univ prof. And after so many cases like these, I would be leery to teach teens anyway.
....from a relocated Tampa native in Boston.
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Posted by ( Gladiator ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He dont look to bright. Kinda looks like Alfred E. Newman.
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Posted by ( ToTheBeachWeGo ) on April 30, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Next year's faculty meetings will take place in jail since that's where most of the teachers will be.
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Posted by ( jbsteel ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I will need alot more information to hang this guy. So far from what I have read, this guy should have never been arrested. It states very clearly in the article the St. Pete Times has up that no touchng or inappropriate behavior took place between the two of them. You mean to tell me its illegal for me to take my best friend's daughter to the zoo? Just because I am 35 and she is 17? No way this guy should have been arrested from what I have read.
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Posted by ( jagaka2 ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sounds like witch hunting season has begun.
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Posted by ( freedomfighter ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
what the heck is going on around here is it the water or what?teachers and students c'mon wait at least till there 18 bunch of idiots.im glad i got all boys cause all these crimes on young girls is insane wtf. mental people. S.N.A.F.U.
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Posted by ( LatinaLady ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
There doesn't need to be an age limit on teachers...I started teaching when I was 23 and it never occurred to me to want to date any of my students. Never even crossed my mind. And trust me, a few flirted and I cut them to the quick right away. Such behavior was not encouraged or tolerated. End of story.
I seriously wanted to make some stupid, assinine comment about "how I wish I had a teacher like him when I was in high school...I'd go to the zoo with him..." but I can't manage the sarcasm. Doesn't seem to work when it's a man messing around with a 16 year old girl.
Good teachers do not do anything that might be construed as inappropriate, not even in jest.
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Posted by ( Vulcanized ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Time to send a serious message to the teachers around here. I'm all for backing them up when they need it (read my post in the 5th grade rampage story for proof) but they gotta keep their pants on with the kids. If anyone out there thinks this was an innocent exchange, I'm sorry for you. This wasn't about you taking your friends kid to the zoo! It's about a loser that couldn't find a romantic interest in the 18 to 105 age range!
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Posted by ( barney ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a twisted state we live in:
Have sex with an under-aged child... Probation.
Take an under-aged person to the zoo... Felony - 10 to 15 years!
He should have just had sex with her and not tried to make it a date! Go figure.
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Posted by ( barney ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
And where are the Kidnapping and "Interfering with Custody" charges for female pedophiles?
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Posted by ( angryamerican ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
anonymous4459: I also take issue with you. This man is a teacher. I do not care what kind of specialist he is, he knows the appropriate behavior of a person in his profession, and he has overstepped the boundries. His teaching certificate from the State of Florida should be taken away from him, and he should be arrested.
I am also noticing that these girls are willing to go on the one-on-one little "field trips" and then letting it slip or something around their parents. Parents should report him to the police, he is interfering with the custody of these parents children.
You would not by any chance be the other girl that he took on a one-on-one field trip would you?
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Posted by ( anonymous_user ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I find this story interesting, and the people who are commenting. However, is there any way we could make an attempt to be civil?
robertj1954 : I agree that maybe the girl may not fully understand what has happened. However, she is a young girl and you are an adult. Your behavior and thoughts and actions are in no way better than her own.
anonymous: I'm sorry sweet heart, but I don't think you are helping your teacher by posting things like that about the other student. No matter if what you say is true and accurate or not.
livinglife : That really is just not funny.
Let's keep in mind that NONE of us know the full story. The student who posted a comment could be correct about the accusing girl's actions and credibility, but it is agreed that the teacher did not make the best choice in taking the girl to the zoo. The fact is, none of us know. None of us can say slanderous things about anyone.
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Posted by ( jesusfreak54848 ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Anonymous...you seem to be forgetting that he went to the zoo alone with her. Even if he taught Zookeeping, for goodness sakes, that would be inappropriate-no matter what his "specialty" is.
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Posted by ( Elijah ) on April 30, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
barney...
You're so right. And the chick that ran over the guy gets only a year in jail and not attempted murder or at least felony assault with a deadly weapon. It is warped!!
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Posted by ( militarybrat ) on April 30, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
they need to make this guy and the girl teacher raguso go help chase after the escaped monkeys
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Posted by ( livinglife ) on April 30, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
what ever happened to how highly teachers use to be looked at! To be a teacher was a great thing to tell someone! These days its giving a bad rep. to those good ones out there w/common sense and working there tails off for our kids! Enough w/the nonsense of these fools! No excuses!
jesusfreak54848- I agree w/you 200%!!! this was clearly a date, w/other intentions..
And for anonymous_user- sorry to offend you w/my comment and why you standing up for the guy? Hmm, a 16 yr.old girl, doesn't know when a guy is flirting w/her through clearly stated messages, and takes you to the zoo alone? Seriously! WAKE UP! No one is assuming, its clear as day!
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Posted by ( anonymous4459 ) on April 30, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ROBERTJ1954:
Let's get some things straight. I am not trying to defend his taking the girl to the zoo. I'm not saying that is ok. I am, however, saying that things are being misinterpreted. He was not dating her. If her were, YES! There would be everything wrong with that. But he wasn't. And you cannot call me naive and idiot, and then call me immature. You, sir, are an adult. You are calling a young girl names. That doesn't strike you as a bit idiotic and immature? And until you have read those text messages (which, by the way, I HAVE!) you cannot say anything about them. If they were sexual, heck yes. That would be abnormal and disgusting. They weren't. I am not making excuses for ANYTHING he did. I just making it clear what he DIDN'T do. And do not call me immature for "attacking the student" because that is EXACTLY what you just did to me. I have common sense thank you. I know what is wrong and what is right, and I know that accusing someone of something before you know all of the facts is wrong. YOU, sir, can go ahead and grow up. Thank you, for being such a first class jerk.
ANGRYAMERICAN:
You are right in the fact that he overstepped. However, he in no way hurt the girl, and should in no way be charged with a felony and be placed in the same catagory as these other teachers who molested their students. I think it is fine and justified that the State would take away his teaching certificate. However, to ruin the mans life does not seem appropriate. And NO, I am not the "other girl," thanks.
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Posted by ( anonymous4459 ) on April 30, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
livinglife - Don't misunderstand. I'm not defending. I'm simply not jumping to conclusions. I'm just waiting for more details is all. I'm not saying that the girl is wrong. But have you never heard of a young girl misunderstanding things and making mistakes? Since we are talking teachers here, look at literature. There is Aurthur Miller's The Crucible and Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour for a few examples. And then we can look at a recent movie, Atonement. I am not defending the man. I think that if everything the girl says is true, he should most DEFINITELY be arrested. But I just don't see, from the details presented SO FAR, that he is in the same boat as women such as Debra Lafey (although I do not think that is how her name is spelled) and Raguso. I'm waiting for more details before I put him in the same box as those women, who had sex with their students.
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Posted by ( OHu812 ) on April 30, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I take issue w/bigpapi09- ELEMENTARY TEACHERS are not BABYSITTERS !!! As your such statement implies. To all the bloggers/problem solvers out there - WTH with put all the "young" teachers in elem.& the "oldies" in middle and high school. Note: to all HR staff " Hire only Morms". In a word, DISCRIMINATION. Pleeeeeze!! Give me some compelling rhetoric. I agree w/ LatinaLady.
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Posted by ( militarybrat ) on April 30, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
'teachers' are entrusted with defenseless children. and they are bound by rules that they must follow.
if this teacher chose to break a rule and knowingly used his id to take one of his defenseless students to a zoo, then he should pay accordingly.
take him out and make him do community service and go and round up the escaped defenseless monkeys that that poor owner is using his vacation to do. except make this guy do it in shackles lol.
as for ragusa, chasing after monkeys may make her smile more.
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Posted by ( wiseguy08 ) on April 30, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Does anybody do back ground checks on these people. You cant put all the blame on him she is older enough to know not to go any place with him alone and then she gives him her number....
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Posted by ( lulu ) on April 30, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
this world is losing all values.letting all these not so normal things happen and to continue to put up with it day after day.i know what i would do but ill keep it to myself.my freedom my spaces my rules......
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Posted by ( lovemy2boys ) on April 30, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another one bites the dust!!! They just wont learn!
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Posted by ( LivinginPasco ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What is going on with these teachers? They all drinking from the same watering hole??
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Posted by ( nikita0229 ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think this has gotten out of hand. It seems we are arresting people now for "thoughts of intent". What a sad state we are in. I would too be in jail if people can be arrested for thinking about things illegal. Wouldn't we all?>> Do we want a country with no freedom? I agree he made a BAD decision and should be disciplined, even fired...but arrested??? No comparison to that and what the other teachers have done. There needs to be equal treatment for equal offences. People like Raguso, Lafave, etc are the ones who needed to be arrested and jailed...not a teacher who "might" have had a bad intention but "nothing" happened.
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Posted by ( DREAMER1011 ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This has gotten completely out of hand. I know of a 45 yr old single male working in the Hillsborough county school system (B T Washington Elementary) Long pony tail down to the middle of his back. Tattoos all over the place. Been divorced 3 times and is teaching your children. I have taken my child out of there and am put her in a private school. I suggest you people do the same!!! disaster waiting to happen.
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Posted by ( mleilanir ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I just don't, & probably never will, comprehend why these adult's prey on young victims? It just doesn't make sense. Work so hard to just flush it down the drain in one fail swoop.
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Posted by ( angryamerican ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
anonymous4459: Glad that you are not the other girl, but you are wrong. The gentleman took someone's child, and as much as I know young people your age do not like to be called a child, he took someone's child, underage child, without their permission, on a supposedly-one-on-one school field trip. He did the crime, now he must do the time. He had no right. Had she been my daughter, I would push it as far as I possibly could. I knew a man once who had a young man arrested for just driving his daughter to the airport when she ran away from home. You are not free to do whatever you want with other people's underage children, no matter whether you be a teacher, neighbor, friend, or family. You are interfering in their business without their permission. As a teacher, he should have had a signed permission slip from the parents for a field trip. He knows what he did was wrong. He does not have to be told, he knows it. It is unethical, unprofessional, was absolutely unnecessary.
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Posted by ( VatoLoco ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He's hot! If he was my teacher I would go to the zoo, a motel, or the linen closet with him and be very happy!
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Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Anonymous... "It is what it is" You want to play with the grown ups then be ready to take the heat. You don't get any free passes if you’re in here to make judgments. Just your take on this entire incident goes to your judgement. Thank you for proving me right. Innocent until proven guilty yes, but wrong is wrong. Period.
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Posted by ( jandpbell ) on April 30, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ok i feel like yea, this dummy made a mistake... hormones are a mofo... but he didnt touch, kiss, fondle her or anything... give him probation and if he does it again then you know he has an issue.
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Posted by ( jackswench ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Where was this teacher when I was going to school. If he was my teacher, I probably would have gotten straight A's. My My My
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Posted by ( jenniferjp1969 ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He definitely needs some kind of punishment just for being stupid. Do these people read the newspaper? Watch T.V.? If I was a teacher these days I would be bending over backwards to avoid ANY kind of contact with my students. Why even risk the illusion of impropriety??? Why would a teacher even need to send a student a text message? Maybe a clause needs to be added to their contracts "Thou shalt not contact students in any way, shape, or form." Apparently some people are too dense to figure that out on their own, so maybe we need to put into writing for them. If they really are that dense, what are they doing in the field of education?
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Posted by ( DREAMER1011 ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ABSOLUTELY JENNIFER!!!!
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Posted by ( tparich ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Taking one student to the Zoo... inappropriate yes.... but illegal?
Romantic notes... inappropriate yes... but illegal?
Official charge: "interference with custody". That's a bit of a reach.
Has the "witch hunt" begun?
It would have been more appropriate for the mother to talk with the school not the police.
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Posted by ( jackswench ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You people are not taking into consideration the age of the girl. According to the Sheriff's office the age of consent is 16 1/2. What if she apporached him? 16 year old girls know what they want..they make big decisions like picking jobs, colleges. If she did not want to go, I am sure she would not have had too. I dont believe he had her at gun point.
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Posted by ( bigdave ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He Looks awfully young, and now he's thrown his whole life away, it's really sad because he won't get any help for it, just placed on a list and expected not to do it again. . .foolish decision making for such a young person who had a bright future. They don't say that that girl had sexual relations, but the whole story is disturbing.
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Posted by ( maddierose13 ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You guys can't judge him.
I'm one of his former students. He's actually a really good guy, and he was one of the coolest teachers at Gibbs.
Actions don't define a person, its wether or not they learn from what they've done that shows who they are.
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Posted by ( MamaMagic ) on April 30, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How could the school boards possibly screen their applicants for these kinds of issues?
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Posted by ( joeyg ) on April 30, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
SCBROWNSr, It would be a shame to have to resort to the AGE GAP you mentioned, but it would take care of 98% of the problem.
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Posted by ( Vulcanized ) on April 30, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Inappropriate is inappropriate. Ok, why don't we say that from now on, teachers should know the boundaries of an appropriate student/teacher relationship. I think they can gather from all the news stories what might be considered risky behavior. If they still want to take that risk, then throw the book at them and make sure as hell that they can't profit from it down the road. And if they aren't smart enough to know if they are crossing the line, then they shouldn't be in the classroom. If he wanted to take a special interest in this girl for whatever reason, and it wasn't with some ulterior motive, then he should have gotten parental consent first. Then we wouldn't be having this discussion.
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Posted by ( Vulcanized ) on April 30, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maddierose13: 1) Yes, I can judge him and so can everybody else in this forum. I cannot use your experience with him as a basis for any other conclusion. You may not be able to see it now, but there are reasonable people on this forum that understand why his behavior was inappropriate. 2) Actions do define a person more than any other characteristic, thats why they say actions speak louder than words. A person can say they are sorry but it's their actions that truly define that sorrow. I know this is an extreme example but some of the most villainous names in history probably had an enlightenment toward the end. That doesn't take away their sins against humanity however.
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Posted by ( DanPalmer ) on April 30, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Spot on Barney! He shoulda had sex and not tried to date her! How absurd is that?
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Posted by ( holycow ) on May 1, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, there's so much to commment on here. Background info, I've worked in middle and high schools and never thought about dating any of my students. The idea of "age gaps" is ridiculous. Do you think someone is going to get a degree in education and sit around for 15 years waiting to make those BIG florida bucks offered up to educators? We're still on the bubble for a huge population of aging teachers to retire. An age gap would just leave the classrooms empty, not that an overwhelming majority of students would care. To those of you that believe private school is the way to go, you may have unknowingly solved the problem. You've gotten involved in your child's life and taken an interest in the school. If everyone did that, public schools, and our communities, would be better off too! One of my current school PTO meetings had an astounding 3 parents show up. We were so concerned with how we could manage such a large mob! Sad....
Take an interest in your children's lives, and good things will happen. Ignore your children, and they'll end up no better than the perverts we're all reading about.
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Posted by ( secksfenders ) on May 1, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
At least he didn't have sex with them like Ragusa does. How is taking a 16yr old to the zoo a date? I mean, was she kidnapped? Seems to be like she was a willing participant.
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Posted by ( secksfenders ) on May 1, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
At least he didn't have sex with them like Ragusa does. How is taking a 16yr old to the zoo on a date illegal? I mean, was she kidnapped? Seems to be like she was a willing participant.
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Posted by ( Budbkind2u ) on May 1, 2008 at 12:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
you know I saw someone buying a beer today, and I JUST KNOW he was going to drink it on the way home...........maybe we should charge him with a DUI.......
You and I might have an idea of what he wanted to do, but the fact is NOTHEN HAPPEND( and we really don't know what he was thinking), you can't put someone in jail for what they MIGHT do. The law does not work that way
that is, as of 5/01/08 of course.
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Posted by ( bdog ) on May 1, 2008 at 1:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
MAN, these reptiles are cool !
Yeah ? You should see my one eyed snake !
But seriously, I agree with some of the other posters. Let's not start a witch hunt. And let's not forget, there are a lot of teachers who realy DO care about students. A lot of you were on here defending leo's saying not to judge them all by the actions of a few (and you were so right), and the same goes with teachers ! Personaly I will wait for more info.
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Posted by ( noneya ) on May 1, 2008 at 1:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
DREAMER1011- what is that post all about? I am covered in tattoos. I'm not divorced but that might just be because my husband and I are both too lazy to pack our things, find a new place, go to court, fight over the children blah blah blah. Do my tattoos make me a pedophile? Gosh, had I known that tattoos had that kind of effect I would have been more careful not to put that one that says "I'm a pedophile" on my forehead. I know a guy that can give you a discount on one that warns people too. I'm thinking a nice one that says,”Nervous Overreacting parent" might suit you. This might be really helpful in warning teachers who don’t want you writing anything inflammatory about them.
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Posted by ( mamac ) on May 1, 2008 at 2:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To GF - to answer your comment "Why couldn't Snieszko have run into Ragusa?" they are both too old for each other
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Posted by ( jordankasteler ) on May 1, 2008 at 2:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Please vote for this story on Digg.com http://digg.com/people/Another_Teacher_Sex_Scandal_Field_Trip_Date_w_16_yr_Old
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Posted by ( bnav ) on May 1, 2008 at 2:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Being a science teacher he should have taken her to MOSI instead of the zoo.
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Posted by ( boxer ) on May 1, 2008 at 3:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
or why not go to sea world and see the dolph---- never mind
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Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on May 1, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
(Budbkind2u) Have you ever heard of conspiracy, attempted, or solicitation? (Insert the criminal act)
Example: Guy was just considering robbing a bank, but cops get lucky and intervene before the crime, think they just pat him on the back and say, don't ever think about doing that again?
Computer pervert makes contact with a child and indulges in inappropriate sexual messaging, and invites her to meet. He then changes his mind because fears it might be a set up. Think cops are going to forget nothing happened?
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Posted by ( nativegirl ) on May 1, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why don't they sue and put the school system out of business like they do the Catholic schools? There seems to be a lot more teachers than priests doing this. Oh yeah, it is because teachers can't marry right?
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on May 1, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
i get my posts deleted..............
and TBO "allows" one-eyed snake comments. come on now.
i still say the whole thing was a trip to "spank a monkey."
..... and the proof of my statement lies in the fact that he is a "reptile" expert, yeah, that's it, A REPTILE EXPERT.
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Posted by ( Spike510 ) on May 1, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Here we go playing the poor little children scenario again...I mean for the Grace of the God, where were these girls senses...they could have ended this crap before it started and, oh! Maybe just a radical thought...refused to go on the trip! Dumb a** I swear, I'm a 19 year old girl and I have to say "some" teens now days don't have the good sense that God gave a pigeon... and to make it worse their parents don't care and are more than likely stupid too. Teach your children how to handle situation before they get out of hand...talk to them for goodness sake. This could have been easily avoided...if they would have just stood up for themselves; despite the fact the teacher was a creep. And don't play that defenseless girl crap...there is an SRO in almost every school and councilors who helps with these situations too.
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Posted by ( Oops ) on May 1, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Another great reason to homeschool your kids...
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Posted by ( oaktwn1 ) on May 1, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I Imagine he wanted to go right to the "petting" zoo??
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Posted by ( Longball ) on May 1, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
You would have a more creditable argument if had not text messaged her every freaking day you moron you. Lets face it you wanted to "play teacher and the naive school girl". Well good luck on your new career cause it wont be as a teacher.
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Posted by ( spartay ) on May 1, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No doubt this guy will get to serve a long time in fed prison while we will get to read about Ragusa hitting up another underage kid in a month with nothing more than a little more probation added to her sentence
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Posted by ( altedbaseball ) on May 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
the word is counselors..........
but you made a great point.
thank God that i have spell check on this blog thingy.
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on May 1, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
jagaka2 - You better hope not, for your sake..........
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