Teacher convicted of sex crimes against students violates probation

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Convicted child molester Stephanie Ragusa is back and so is her smile.

Back in 2008, Ragusa admitted to having sex with two of her students at Davidson Middle School.

She was sentenced to 10 years in prison but only served six.

Under her probation, she is not allowed to have any contact with minors but according to court records, she broke that rule last month at a Hooters restaurant at Clearwater Beach.

“It was just contact meaning she engaged a child in conversation took a picture with a child," explained Attorney Anthony Rickman, who reviewed the case for FOX 13.

Ragusa reported the incident to her probation officer and now a judge could decide to throw her back in jail.

One thing the judge could consider is her courtroom behavior. Ragusa usually walks into a court with a smile which appeared to hurt her during her sentencing with Hillsborough County Judge Chet Tharpe.

"Your lackadaisical attitude on your face, you’ve been smiling, you’ve been jovial, if I had to sum up your attitude in one word would be arrogance," said Judge Tharpe.

Rickman says a smiling defendant is never a good thing.

“Be straight-faced, remorseful, and in no way smile. This is not a laughing matter," said Rickman.