A West Loop school bus driver was formally charged Wednesday with the sexual assault of a mentally challenged student.
Antonio Ross, of the 900 block of West Madison Street, was charged with criminal sexual assault of a victim who was between the ages of 13 and 17, according to police who said the incident occurred March 24, 2009 in the 8200 block of South Luella Avenue.
Ross was indicted on the charge Wednesday and an arraignment date was set for March 2, according to Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesman Andy Conklin.
He was ordered held on $50,000 bond Jan. 13.
The South Central High School student was the last person on the bus when Ross pulled over and attacked her on the South Side, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney William Hall said during bond proceedings.
Ross, 26, ordered the girl to go to the back of the bus and began to fondle her breasts under and over her clothing, Hall said.
Then, Ross allegedly ordered the girl on her knees and forced her to perform oral sex as he sat on a seat on the bus.
The girl, 17 at the time, told authorities about the alleged attack as soon Ross drove her home from the site of it, in the 8200 block of South Luella Avenue, authorities said.
Once Ross learned he was being investigated, he came to the girl’s house on three separate occasions, yelling and banging on her door, asking her why she called the police, Hall said.
In one instance, Ross grabbed the girl’s arm and told her, “I should kick your a–,’’ Hall said.
Ross was charged with intimidation stemming from the alleged harassment.
Ross was employed at Jewel’s Bus Company, headquartered at 1035 W. 111th St. and the incident was not the first time a Jewel’s driver has faced criminal accusations.
In September, driver Willie Bledsoe was charged with kidnapping a Hyde Park kindergartner for allegedly not letting a 5-year-old boy exit the bus outside Murray Language Academy, police said.
The child wasn’t dropped off at his home until 3 p.m. that day, according to a Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman.
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