PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A teacher at a K-8 school in St. Lucie County was arrested after a woman came forward to the Port St. Lucie Police Department, accusing him of domestic violence and sexual battery.
Ryan Michael Zakrajsek, 41, a teacher at Allpattah Flatts K-8 School, was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail around 10:20 p.m. He faces multiple charges, including:
Kidnapping and false imprisonment (both of a child and an adult)
Sexual assault (by an adult on a victim 18 or older, without physical force)
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (without intent to kill)
Cruelty toward a child, aggravated child abuse
Domestic battery by strangulation
Battery causing bodily harm
Cruelty toward a child without great bodily harm
According to the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), at approximately 3:30 p.m., the woman arrived at the department to report an incident of domestic violence that occurred near Northwest Bolin Street. She claimed Zakrajsek physically struck her, strangled her, and committed sexual battery. The woman also alleged that Zakrajsek prevented her from leaving the home and threatened to kill her and everyone inside if she attempted to flee, brandishing a gun and a knife during the confrontation.
PSLPD officers executed a search warrant at the residence, where they found a firearm and additional evidence linking Zakrajsek to the alleged crimes. Later that evening, officers established probable cause and arrested Zakrajsek.
The identity of the victim has not been released, as she is a victim of alleged sexual battery, according to police.
Dr. Helen Wild, Deputy Superintendent of the St. Lucie County School District, issued a statement regarding the arrest, though details were not immediately available.