School Bus Monitor Struck, Threatened Student: Putnam Sheriff

CORTLANDT, NY — A school bus monitor is accused of striking and threatening a Putnam Valley Middle School student on a school bus. Joseph Masi hit the 11-year-old in the face and then threatened to knock him out, Putnam County Sheriff Robert L. Langley Jr. alleged.

The 65-year-old was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” misdemeanor, and Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation. (Sign up for Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts.)

The incident happened Jan. 11, police allege. School officials became aware of it that day and promptly notified the School Resource Officer, Deputy Ryan McMahon, who immediately responded to the
Putnam Valley Middle School, Langley said.

After interviewing several witnesses and reviewing video and audio footage supplied by the bus company, the deputy arrested Masi, 65.

The Cortlandt Manor resident was arraigned on both charges on Jan. 12, by the Honorable Justice Gina C. Capone of the Putnam Valley Justice Court. Masi was released on his own recognizance, pending a future court date in the Putnam Valley Justice Court.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Putnam Valley School District and the Montauk Bus Company for their prompt attention to the matter and for their complete cooperation in the investigation.

Image/ Putnam Valley school district website

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