School van driver faces charges

School van driver Donald Brand of Montrose faces charges after he allegedly had sexual contact with a student he transported to and from school STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON

School van driver Donald Brand of Montrose faces charges after he allegedly had sexual contact with a student he transported to and from school STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON

A school van driver faces charges after he allegedly had sexual contact with a teen he drove to and from school for the past year.
Donald Brand, 39, Montrose, was arraigned in Montrose District Court on Wednesday, Oct. 25. He has been charged with two felony counts of Institutional Sexual Assault, and two misdemeanor counts of corruption of a minor.
The Susquehanna County Independent does not identify the victim of alleged sexual assault.
The mother of the student discovered email exchanges between her daughter and the bus driver, that she told investigators that she found “disturbing” according to the affidavit.
The now 17-year-old student was interviewed by detectives on Oct. 23, and explained she first met Brand in September 2016 when he was her school van driver to Faith Mountain Christian Academy in New Milford.
The two, the teen told detectives, talked during the rides and became close throughout the school year. The student would also visit the Brand residence and said she developed a friendship with members of his family.
She told investigators that brand became a “father figure” to her; and he would give her hugs and kisses when they saw each other.
Brand was interviewed by detectives on Oct. 23 and told them he wanted “to clear it all up.”
At first, Brand denied the allegations but later admitted to having sexual contact with her on two occasions – once in August at his residence on UFO Drive, in Liberty Twp.; and then again after he drove her home from school.
Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Hollister released Brand on unsecured bail, but imposed home confinement and immediate bail supervision. Brand is also not to have any contact with minors as part of his bail conditions.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Monday, Oct. 30.

Be the first to comment on "School van driver faces charges"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*