MUSKEGON, Mich. — A former school bus driver in Muskegon who pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct involving an 8-year-old boy was sentenced Thursday morning.
Richard Elliott, a former bus driver for a third-party company used by Muskegon Public Schools, was sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections for 60 months to 95 years.
Elliott received credit for 307 days served in jail. Fines and costs were assessed as well as lifetime monitoring following his release.
Elliott was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in July 2023. He made a guilty plea on March 27, 2024, avoiding sending the case to trial.
According to court documents, the victim is an 8-year-old boy who lived in the same home as Elliott did. When the incident took place, the boy told his father, who then called the police.
In July, investigators said they did not believe the victim was a student at Muskegon Public Schools.
Dean Transportation Services said Elliott was hired in December 2016 and passed a criminal background check, public sex offender registry check, FBI national fingerprint-based background check and driving record check.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.
