Officials: teacher in student sex case writes Nick Bollea

Stephanie Ragusa, the Hillsborough County teacher accused of having sex with several middle school students, has written a letter from the Hillsborough County Jail to 17-year-old Nick Bollea at the Pinellas County Jail.

Pinellas deputies intercepted the letter, recognized Ragusa's name, and the return address of the Falkenburg Road jail and contacted Hillsborough sheriff's officials, Pinellas sheriff's spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said today.

Pinellas deputies intercepted the letter, which Bollea hadn't received, because they weren't sure if Ragusa was allowed to have contact with a minor, Barreda said.

Bollea was given a copy of the letter, which Pinellas sheriff's officials say they will not release because it's Bollea's property.

Kevin Hayslett, one of Bollea's attorneys, didn't remember the contents of the letter but said he anticipates the Hillsborough County State Attorney will file a motion to prevent Ragusa from contacting Bollea.

"Nick has no desire to be Stephanie Ragusa's pen pal," Hayslett said.

J.D. Callaway, a spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that Ragusa sent a letter to Bollea June 2.

"She's only restricted from contacting witnesses or the victims in her pending criminal cases," he said. "At this time it was completely legal for her to send a letter to Nick Bollea."

Col. David Parrish, the agency's detention commander, said inmate correspondence is not generally logged or monitored. Although Hillsborough inmates are not supposed to write other Hillsborough inmates, there are no restrictions about an inmate writing to another inmate at a different facility.

"I've got 3,700 inmates and I don't know who's writing to whom," he said. "We don't censor outgoing mail, we just check incoming mail with regard to contraband."

-- Tamara El-Khoury, Times Staff Writer

Here's the text of the letter:

Nick,

We don’t know each other but we are both in similar situations with the media + a high degree of public scrutiny. If you are anything like me, I’m sure you receive tons of “fan mail” each day from total strangers who say pretty much anything you can think of. I just want you to know that you are not alone. And for what it is worth, I can sympathize with the dynamics of your case, esp. in light of the public. It’s not us, Nick, but something “off” with society, that our situations garner more attention + print than the president, the election, or even an earthquake killing thousands. Nothing prepares you for nor prevents it; sensationalism. I have only been here 1 month in administrative confinement, due entirely to my case’s “high profile status.” I’ve honestly, not  been following your case, except in hearing that our names are mentioned frequently on the news. Keep your head up and never lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. You have more people supporting + pulling for you than you will ever know. I believe the character of an individual is measured over the long haul. And I have no doubt that you will rise above your current surroundings having experienced a personal inner growth known only to yourself in these many hours of isolation. You remain in my prayers,

Stephanie Ragusa