Former football coach Ryan Portee, previously with Desert Sunrise and Maricopa High Schools, has been arrested and lost his job following a road rage incident. The Maricopa Police Department arrested the 50-year-old Portee after he allegedly threatened to kill a 21-year-old woman on May 19. According to city spokesperson Monica Williams, Portee faces charges of threatening and intimidating, as well as disorderly conduct, as per Pinal County jail records. The Ryan Portee road rage incident has shocked the community and raised concerns about road safety and conduct.
Legal Consequences
Threatening or intimidating someone can lead to a misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail or a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Disorderly conduct adds another potential six months of jail time. Williams also mentioned that another incident involving Portee is under investigation, which could result in additional charges. Portee is currently held without bond.
The Incident
In the incident, Portee allegedly told 21-year-old Jordin Amato, “I will put a bullet in your head,” at the intersection of Porter and Honeycutt Roads. Amato was driving home when Portee, in his white Lexus, started tailgating her and nearly caused an accident. The exchange, where Portee used abusive language, was captured on video and has been viewed over 18,000 times on InMaricopa.com. Amato described feeling extremely nervous as Portee followed her for several miles after the traffic light turned green.
Employment and District Response
Maricopa Unified School District spokesperson Mishell Terry confirmed that Desert Sunrise High School no longer employs Portee as a coach. The school hired him just a month earlier as a defensive coordinator for the Golden Hawks football team. Terry emphasized that the district follows policies to address employee conduct and takes action based on the severity of incidents. An anonymous Desert Sunrise High School employee confirmed that the school fired Portee.
Portee’s Employment History
This was Portee’s second tenure with the Maricopa Unified School District. He previously served as a varsity football coach and girls’ basketball coach at Maricopa High School from February 2012 to August 2017. The reason for his initial departure is unknown. Before his recent arrest, Portee also worked at Sequoia Pathway Academy in Maricopa for eight years as a physical education teacher and coach.
Criminal Record
Portee has a history of traffic-related offenses in multiple states, including Arizona. His criminal record includes DUI, reckless driving, speeding, running red lights, unsafe lane changes, driving with a revoked license, and now, threatening and intimidating. Some of these cases were dismissed, including some in Maricopa municipal court.
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