A grand jury indicted a Long Island, New York, school bus driver for allegedly repeatedly kidnapping and raping a female student, prosecutors said Monday.
The 50-year-old bus driver, known both as Giovanny Campos and Giovanny Guzman, allegedly assaulted the girl over a seven-month period from January to July, according to NBC. The assaults happened both on his bus and at his apartment in Queens, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said.
“School bus drivers are trusted to transport and protect our children, but this defendant allegedly preyed on a teenage student and sexually abused her both on his bus and at his apartment in Queens,” Donnelly said. (RELATED: REPORT Maryland Police Charge Former Teacher For Allegedly Performing Oral Sex On Middle Schooler)
School Bus Driver Indicted for Alleged Kidnap and Rape of Valley Stream Student https://t.co/zAxCtxgCBI pic.twitter.com/q0UNI5crQV
— Long Island (@longisland) December 5, 2023
The Nassau County Police’s Special Victims Squad arrested Campos, who worked for Cheese Bus, Inc., on September 28, prosecutors said.
“The defendant raped the child multiple times, including in a parking lot while still on the bus,” prosecutors said. “The defendant also transported the teenager to his apartment in Jamaica, Queens, to engage in sexual acts with her.”
Cheese Bus, Inc. said in a statement through its attorney that Campos has been fired, NBC reported.
“The instant our office was made aware of the District Attorney’s allegations, we removed the individual in question from all bus routes and from any contact with our passengers as we are committed to maintaining safety and security within our community,” the statement said. “The individual was suspended indefinitely and terminated shortly thereafter.”
Campos, who pleaded not guilty Thursday, was indicted on charges of second-degree kidnapping, third-degree rape, two counts of a third-degree criminal sex act and reckless endangerment, prosecutors said, per NBC.
Campos’ bail was set at $150,000 cash, $300,000 bond and $1.25 million partially secured bond, according to NBC.
He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, the outlet reported.