School Bus Operator Faces Sexual Offenses

Etienne Kabongo | MCPD

A school bus driver has been charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in an incident captured on his bus’s camera, a Montgomery County police statement said Monday.

Etienne K. Kabongo, 62, of the 7800 block of Mineral Springs Drive in Gaithersburg is being held without bail, according to online court records. School Superintendent Jack Smith said Kabongo has been placed on leave.

“Mr. Kabongo will not be returning to our buses or schools,” Smith said.

Police said that about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, Kabongo was transporting students receiving special education services. He stopped the bus near Yates Road in Silver Spring, when the school bus attendant left the bus to help drop off another student, police said.

Kabongo, who remained on the bus, sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl, police said. The investigation resulted in charges for inappropriate sexual contact.

The school bus camera captured video of the assault, police said.

Kabongo was arrested Aug. 5 and charged with second-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense and the sexual abuse of a minor, police said.

Kabongo, known as “Mr. Steve” to some students, has worked since 2006 as a bus operator, primarily driving for students receiving special needs education, at schools across the county, police said.

School system spokesman Derek Turner said most public school buses have cameras; of 1,350 buses in the fleet, 1,056 have cameras, he said.

“It’s one of our many deterrents and investigative tools to keep our kids safe,” he said.

Special Victims Investigations Detectives are concerned about other victims. Anyone who is concerned that a child has been victimized is asked to call detectives at 240-773-5400.

The Montgomery County Council issued this statement:

Today the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement regarding the arrest and sex abuse charges made against Montgomery County Public Schools bus driver Etienne Kabongo.

Montgomery County condemns all forms of sexual abuse and harassment. The safety and security of students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is our top and most important priority. Our hearts ache for the student, who endured this horrific act of sexual violence, and her family.

In April the Council’s Education Committee met with Dr. Jack Smith, Superintendent of Schools, and MCPS leadership for a briefing on the school system’s child abuse and neglect policies.  While Montgomery County’s Board of Education is ultimately responsible for establishing and implementing these policies, we will continue to work together to provide the funding needed for training to prevent and spot sexual abuse and harassment and for the security equipment and personnel necessary to protect our students, especially those who cannot speak for themselves.

We encourage any other students or individuals, who may have been victimized by the accused, or their family members to contact the Montgomery County Police Department at 240-773-5400.

Smith sent out this message:

Dear MCPS Community:

I am writing to inform you about the arrest of Etienne K. Kabongo, a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) bus operator. Mr. Kabongo, known to some students as “Mr. Steve,” is charged with second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor, and third-degree sexual offense. According to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), the charges stem from his contact with a student on his bus route.

Words cannot convey my anger, disgust and disappointment in the alleged behavior of Mr. Kabongo. Abusing a position of trust and authority to take advantage of the most vulnerable among us is despicable. This behavior is a violation of our values and policies, as well as the law, and it will not be tolerated.

MCPS staff immediately contacted MCPD when we were made aware of these allegations. We are fully cooperating with MCPD, who is leading this investigation. Pursuant to our memorandum of understanding with law enforcement and MCPS policies and regulations, MCPS has not shared any details broadly with the community until now to avoid prejudicing the police investigation and interfering with law enforcement’s ability to prosecute its case.

Mr. Kabongo has worked for MCPS since 2006 as a bus operator. He has primarily driven for students receiving Special Education services at multiple schools across the county during the school year and the summer. A partial list of these schools can be found here.

He was immediately placed on leave when we were made aware of the allegations. Mr. Kabongo will not be returning to our buses or schools.

Our thoughts are with the students and families impacted by this. MCPS has coordinated with Tree House Child Advocacy Center to ensure counseling support and resources are available. Tree House staff can be reached by phone at 240-777-4699.

If you or your child have any information that may be helpful to the investigation, I ask that you call the Special Victims Investigations Division of the Montgomery County Police Department at 240-773-5400.

MCPS is committed to the safety of all students on our buses and in our schools. Many buses in our fleet are equipped with internal video cameras, including the bus related to this arrest. We have already taken steps to accelerate our process for acquiring cameras for all buses. Additionally, in 2015, MCPS enhanced its policies and protocols for preventing, recognizing and reporting child abuse in our community. More information is available at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/childabuseandneglect/

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