A Wasilla man and First Student bus monitor has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested on sexual abuse of a minor charges, the Mat-Su Borough School District says.
Both the Wasilla Office of Children’s Services and the Mat-Su Child Abuse Investigation Unit began to investigate a possible sexual abuse incident at the beginning of February, according to an online Alaska State Troopers dispatch posted Friday. As a result of the investigation, troopers arrested 41-year-old Timothy Queripel on five counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.
AST then notified the Mat-Su School District of Queripel’s arrest.
“Safety is the highest priority of the Mat-Su Borough School District,” a statement from MSBSD reads. “A First Student employee, Queripel is on administrative leave pending his arraignment and case disposition.”
The statement continues:
The MSBSD contract with First Student requires contractors to conduct background checks on bus drivers and employees covering a period of 20 years. Mr. Queripel has been employed by First Student since August 15, 2013. For the last 18 years, off and on, Mr. Queripel has worked for both First Student and Laidlaw.
Queripel was taken to the Mat-Su Pre-Trial facility. No bail was set.