Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Grandmother says 3-year-old described school bus sex assault

Bus Driver Child Sex Charges

John Locher / AP

Metro Police Deputy Chief Tom Roberts stands next to a photo of school bus driver Michael Ray Banco while speaking at a news conference Friday, May 29, 2015, in Las Vegas. Banco is accused of sexually assaulting young children on his bus route.

Updated Tuesday, June 2, 2015 | 1:38 p.m.

A Las Vegas woman said Tuesday that her 3-year-old granddaughter told her that a school bus driver forced her into oral sex during trips to a Las Vegas preschool child development program.

The grandmother, who said she took custody of the child as a baby, told reporters outside court that she believes Michael Ray Banco chose to sexually assault the girl because she doesn't communicate well.

The woman sobbed and said a 3-year-old doesn't know how to put together words to describe what happened. The Associated Press isn't naming the grandmother to avoid identifying a victim of an alleged sex assault.

Banco, 55, made an initial court appearance after his arrest Thursday on 19 charges of kidnapping, child abuse, child sex assault and lewdness with a child. He remains in custody without bail at the Clark County jail.

Banco could face up to life in prison if he's convicted. He intends to plead not guilty, defense attorney Robert Draskovich said.

Banco drove a small bus transporting about 20 children a day on a specialized route throughout the Las Vegas area, police and school officials said. The alleged sex assault occurred on the bus with preschool and elementary-grade children.

Public school buses in Las Vegas are equipped with security video cameras. Video from Banco's bus haven't been made public.

With several Banco family members in the courtroom, Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen scheduled a Thursday hearing to set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Police Lt. Dan McGrath said a weekend hotline drew more than 25 calls from parents and possible witnesses, and more charges may be filed.

Charges so far stem from allegations involving two victims, McGrath said.

"It's an ongoing investigation. We expect to interview possible victims and parents this week," he said.

Banco has been a bus driver in the Clark County School District since 1995, schools Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky said.

Banco is classified by the district as absent without leave and is not being paid, spokeswoman Michelle Booth said.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy