Gwinnett school bus driver, 67, convicted on child molestation charges involving special needs students

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Gwinnett County Schools special needs bus driver was convicted of child molestation for indecent behavior on a bus carrying elementary school students. The former bus driver was caught with his pants down while students were on the bus, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced on today, July 22.

Steven Edward Wilkins, 67, was found guilty of six counts of child molestation and four counts of public indecency for masturbating on a school bus with special needs students on board in January and February 2023. A judge sentenced Wilkins to 20 years with five years to serve in prison.

Wilkins also is required to register as a child sex offender for life and is prohibited from having further contact with minors.

“This is absolutely reprehensible behavior and will not be taken lightly,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said.

“We are committed to protecting all victims, particularly those who are most vulnerable. This defendant will be monitored closely for the next 20 years and held accountable for the rest of his life.”

On Feb. 9, 2023, a parent walking her child to the bus reported seeing Wilkins behaving suspiciously to school officials. During a bench trial held before Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hamil –with no jury involved – prosecutors showed video footage from four different days between Jan. 31 and Feb. 9, 2023, of the defendant. The videos recorded from bus cameras showed the defendant take out a mobile tablet and sexually stimulate himself for two to as much as 20 minutes while waiting in the bus lane at Suwanee Elementary School.

On each occasion recorded by the video monitoring system at least one student was on the bus. Prosecutors also revealed that during the holidays, Wilkins portrayed Santa Claus at an area church.

The Court found Wilkins guilty on all charges and levied the sentence.

The Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) prosecuted the case with invaluable assistance from the Gwinnett County Schools Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office said. 

Steven Edward Wilkins/Photo via Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office

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