Plum Teacher Turns In Self For Contacting Student Following Inappropriate Relationship Arrest
PLUM (KDKA) – A Plum Borough School District teacher turned himself in Tuesday afternoon on charges related to an ongoing investigation into his alleged inappropriate relationship with a student.
According to police, Joseph Ruggieri, 40, was arrested in February at his home in New Kensington. He was charged with institutional sexual assault and corruption of a minor.
Police say he and a female student frequently met outside of the school.
According to the criminal complaint, the female student told police Ruggieri also invited her to his home, where they had sex on several occasions.
Following the arrest, additional charges were filed when he allegedly contacted the student several times using FaceTime.
Through FaceTime, he's accused of telling the victim: ""My livelihood will be ruined." "My kid's life will be ruined." "I miss you."
For that, he was charged with witness intimidation. Today, he turned himself in on that charge.
Defense attorneys argued he didn't know that this was a potential victim or witness and he wouldn't make contact again.
But the judge sent Ruggieri straight to jail. His bond revoked on the first charge and no bond on the new charge.
Investigators believe Ruggieri may have also been involved with other victims over a period of several years.
Ruggieri has been removed from the school.
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