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Former Granite School District bus driver accused of groping 16-year-old student

Posted at 2:35 PM, Feb 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-01 23:54:11-05

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah - A Granite School District bus driver has been arrested for allegedly groping a 16-year-old student.

School district officials said the bus driver, 21-year-old August James Shell, is under investigation for sexual battery of the 16-year-old male student.

Officials said Shell was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Wednesday and has since resigned.

Authorities said Shell completed his morning route Jan. 31 at about 9 a.m. and pulled over near 1332 W. 4800 S. in Taylorsville.

He approached the 16-year-old Taylorsville High student who was walking to school and allegedly groped the teen.

The district said it hired Shell as a substitute driver Nov. 27, 2017.

"He's literally been transporting kids all over Granite School District and a myriad of routes," Granite School District spokesperson Ben Horsley explained.

Horsley said they don't have reason to believe Shell approached or harmed students he's driven around.

However, law enforcement and the school district said they were concerned Shell may have approached other teens.

"We have reason to believe that there might be some potential other victims," he said.

The district is going to start going through camera footage and school bus GPS data, Horsley explained.

Authorities said they would like to hear from anyone who may have information in this case.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, help is available here or at 1-888-421-1100.