Whittel & Melton Home
Pasco County School Bus Driver Accused of Sexting Student
A school bus driver in Pasco County is accused of texting high school student and asking for nude pictures, according to school officials.
The 49-year-old Port Richey is accused of sending the girl sexually graphic texts between Oct. 13 and Nov. 5.
The man was arrested on one count of use of a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child and one count of transmitting information harmful to a minor, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies do not believe the girl sent any photos.
The girl apparently reported the situation Thursday morning to her school resource officer, who then investigated the situation and brought it to the attention of police.
The man, who has been suspended, has worked for the school district since 2005 and served on several district-level committees through his employee union, according to an employee relations director. According to reports, the department is drafting a letter to the bus driver informing him that he will be brought up for suspension without pay at the next School Board meeting, and administrators likely will recommend that he be fired.
Transmission of material harmful to a minor is a crime that is punished very harshly in the state of Florida. Because law enforcement makes protecting children at all costs a top priority, those accused of this type of crime can face severe consequences. An individual convicted of this sex crime may be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life, on top of the jail time they will face. When facing such extreme penalties, you need a Pasco County Sex Crimes Lawyer who will fight aggressively to combat your charges in and out of court.
Any harmful content can be charged under this crime if sent by:
- Internet
- Text message
- Post mail
Each individual transmission is classified as a third-degree felony and carries up to five years in jail. With that said, multiple images can result in many years behind bars. It is critical to the outcome of your case that you work to defend your future and your freedom at this time. The first step towards securing your future starts with contacting a Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer at Whittel & Melton at 727-847-2299 or toll-free at 866-608-5529. You can also contact us online 24/7 to request a free consultation.
