A motion for continuance was made for Krystina Rugg, age 40 of Sargent and granted by Custer County District Court Judge Karin Noakes ahead of a scheduled pretrial hearing that was set for Thursday morning (May 21).
Court documents indicate that the motion for continuance was filed to allow more time for plea negotiations. There was no objection made by the state. A pretrial conference is now set for September 24, 2026 ahead of jury trial on October 19, 2026.
Rugg pled not guilty in January to one count each of first degree sexual abuse by a school employee and third degree sexual abuse by a school employee, stemming from events alleged to have happened in May of 2025. Investigators were told by students of the exchanging of nude images with Rugg on mutual social media platforms. One student also indicated that their exchange was followed by a meeting that involved sexual acts. A motion to continue jury trial was made and granted at that time as well.
Sargent Public Schools said in a statement in September 2025 that Rugg, who was a para-educator, had resigned earlier in the year before the school was aware of the allegations.
Rugg remains out of custody after posting 10% of a $25,000 bond.
