Pinellas County, Fla. (970 WFLA) - Detectives arrested a 61-year-old school bus driver on charges related to having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives say they corroborated claims made by the now 16-year-old girl that Ernest Williams forced her into inappropriate sexual activity with him first in June of 2015 then in May of 2016. The girl also reported that Williams touched her inappropriately on two other occasions.
Williams knew the girl's family and he had what the Sheriff's Office described as "a position of custodial care" for her. The investigation began October 26, after the girl told a family member.Detectives arrested Williams after interviewing him Friday afternoon.
They identified a second potential victim in another jurisdiction, and believe there could be other victims. They say they do not think Williams had inappropriate contact with students in the course of driving busses for the Pinellas County School District.
He faces count of Attempted Sexual Battery, one count of Sexual Battery, two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct.
Photo of Ernest Williams courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail.