Former Jefferson County Bus Driver Charged with Sexual Crimes Involving a Minor

James Robert Smith, 56, of Dandridge, who used to drive a bus for Jefferson County Schools, has been charged with several sex crimes involving illegal contact with a child. WATE says that Smith was arrested last Wednesday by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began on August 21, 2024, when a report was made to Director of Schools Tommy Arnold.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Smith was being charged with 14 counts of sexual contact by a person in a position of power. It was revealed that Smith was fired on the same day the complaint was made after reviewing camera video from county buses. According to WVLT, Smith was arrested after the bus camera video was carefully looked over. He was then jailed and given a $100,000 bond.

Smith had been fired from his job with Jefferson County Schools’ Transportation Department on January 28, 2015. The sheriff’s office did more research into what happened by talking to other kids and watching more bus footage. WBIR reported that Dr. Tommy Arnold said, “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority.” He said that the school would do everything it could to keep its children safe.

Law officials and the school are both very worried about what Smith did. The school district in Jefferson County sent a report to the Department of Children’s Services, which worked together with the sheriff’s office to look into it. Even though Smith has made bond, the sheriff’s office is still looking into him and the situation is still being closely watched.

Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!