OSWEGO, NY— Earlier this week, students had the opportunity of meeting and speaking with Zully Ramirez. She is currently an investigative news reporter at Chicago Telemundo. The event was hosted by the PRSSA here at SUNY Oswego and was open to the general public.

Zully Ramirez originally hails from Guatemala, but she moved to Harlem, NY at a young age. Many students were intrigued by her success story and her honesty about being an investigative news reporter. 

After the event, I had the opportunity of interviewing Zully Ramirez and asked her what she would tell present and future students of SUNY Oswego. Her response was, “I would just say persevere. Persevere, listen to advice and put your heart and soul into everything that you do. Because when you persevere and listen to advice, and put your heart and soul into everything that you do, you can make it.”

A man who forcibly raped a woman in the Village of Phoenix in July of 2005 has been convicted.  Joseph A. Stefanovich was sentenced to 20 years in state  prison by Oswego County Court Judge James Metcalf, for Rape in the First Degree.  Stefanovich will also receive five years’ post-release supervision.  The conviction pertains to an allegation that Stefanovich grabbed the victim from behind, put her in a chokehold, and dragged her into a wooded area where the offense was committed.

Stefanovich was linked to the case due to a DNA sample from a 2006 case.  The DNA was on profile due to a prior sexual offense conviction.

At trial, Stefanovich claimed that his DNA appeared in the rape kit because he had a consensual encounter with the victim on the day of the offense.  He told the jury that another person must have raped her later that same day.

The victim testified that she did not know Stefanovich and had never engaged in consensual intercourse with him.

District Attorney Gregory Oakes, the prosecutor of the case, stated that he wanted to commend the victim for having the “strength to come forward and the courage to testify at trial. Our community is now safe from this predator because of her bravery and fortitude. It was an honor to stand up and fight for her in court.”