The Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) confirmed today that former teacher José Gregorio Ruffa Sapare was detained in Catamarca. He had been convicted of abusing his students at a school in Río Negro and was a fugitive from justice. The man, who was domiciled in the city of Alberdi, Tucumán, had been a fugitive since October 23 after being sentenced to 13 years in prison for sexual abuse against minors. According to the MPF, the capture was carried out by the Litigation Office of the Río Negro Public Prosecutor's Office, in coordination with the Investigative Police of Catamarca. Ruffa Sapare committed at least twelve abuses against seven students between 2017 and 2019 at School No. 247 'Balsa Las Perlas' in the vicinity of Cipolletti. Authorities reported that the subject was at liberty until the final verdict, but had to comply with certain measures, such as appearing before the Justice Department weekly, although he failed to comply with this directive before receiving confirmation of the sentence. Additionally, he was prohibited from leaving the country. Furthermore, after being convicted in the first instance, he was allowed to reside in Alberdi, Tucumán, and only had to respect the measures dictated.
