SUWANEE, GA — A school bus driver who also dons a Santa Claus uniform for a church in Gwinnett County has been accused of pleasuring himself while special-needs students were aboard the bus.
During a recent bench trial, Steven Edward Wilkins, 67, was convicted of child molestation and other charges after Gwinnett County prosecutors on Wednesday said he sexually pleased himself in the presence of elementary school students.
Investigators began looking into Wilkins on Feb. 9, 2023. At the time, a parent who was walking her child to the bus told school officials she saw Wilkins behaving suspiciously, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors say video footage retrieved from bus cameras captured Wilkins taking out a mobile tablet and sexually stimulate himself between 2 minutes and 20 minutes while he waited in the bus lanes at Suwanee Elementary School. This took place between Jan. 31, 2023 and Feb. 9, 2023.
During each occasion, prosecutors said at least one student was aboard the bus.
The videos were shown at the bench trial, during which no jurors were involved, against Wilkins.
Wilkins was convicted of child molestation and four counts of public indecency. He was sentenced to 20 years with five years to serve in prison, prosecutors said.
He must also register as a child sex offender for life and cannot have contact with minors.
During the holidays, Wilkins worked as Santa Claus for a local church, prosecutors said.
"This is absolutely reprehensible behavior and will not be taken lightly," Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said in a news release. "We are committed to protecting all victims, particularly those who are most vulnerable. This defendant will be monitored closely for the next 20 years and held accountable for the rest of his life."
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