Detectives are working to determine if a school bus driver who had illegal sexual contact with a pre-teenage girl earlier this week in the bus could have other victims.
Leroy E. Morris is charged with a felony count of lewd conduct in connection with the case. The 79-year-old Morris is in the Ada County Jail and will make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon.
Deputies began their investigation Thursday, after being contacted by Meridian Police, who were investigating a report that Morris made a sexual innuendo-type comment to a pre teenage girl when she got on his bus earlier in the week.
It was during that investigation deputies uncovered evidence of Morris having illegal sexual contact with a different girl as she got on the bus on Thursday morning.
Deputies put a safety plan in place immediately. They interviewed several people, including officials with the bus company and Morris, who was then arrested and taken to jail.
Morris drove a bus route in the West Ada School District, including Silver Sage and Christine Donnell elementary schools in south Ada County. He also drove students to and from Centennial, Mountain View, and Renaissance high schools as part of his last assignment. The bus company cooperated with the investigation.
The crime of lewd conduct is punishable by up to life in prison.
Detectives are concerned Morris might have other victims. Anyone with information should call detective Shellie Strolberg at (208) 577-3788 or send an email to [email protected]