A Waukegan public schools bus driver was charged with two counts of criminal sexual abuse involving a minor known to him outside of his job, who is now an adult.

       Richard Villanueva, 57, of Waukegan, was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual assault, both felonies, Tuesday after an investigation by the Waukegan Police Department, authorities said.

       Steve Spagnolo, chief of governmental relations and external affairs for the Lake County state’s attorney’s office, said the victim was not a child on Villanueva’s bus route. The victim reported the abuse, which took place over a four- to five-year period, on Aug. 24, reports said.

       “The kid was not on his route,” Spagnolo said. “Nothing occurred on a bus to our knowledge.”

       During the investigation, police learned there were repeated incidents of abuse while the victim was a minor under the age of 16, according to Spagnolo and a news release from the state’s attorney’s office. Police were able to get corroborating statements from both the victim and Villanueva, officials said.

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       “Nothing is more important than the safety of our children,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in the release. “Our prosecutors and victim advocates will ensure that the victims in this case get all the support that they need and that the defendant faces justice for his actions.”

       Spagnolo said there could be more charges and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any relevant information should call the Waukegan Police Department at 847-360-9000, authorities said.

       Villanueva was being held in Lake County jail in lieu of $750,000 bail. He is next scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on Sept. 21 in Waukegan.

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