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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A former school bus driver accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl along his route has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
The case involves three men alleged to have had sex with four girls.
Christian Paul Bair, 25, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two second-degree felony counts of sex abuse of a child. He originally faced first-degree felony charges of aggravated sex abuse and of a child kidnapping.
Judge Lynn W. Davis told Bair he could be sentenced to one to 15 years in prison. Sentencing was set for June 14.
The judge said he was appalled that the former Provo City School District bus driver would abuse such a relationship of trust.
"The probable cause statement indicates that she's a junior high school student and you are a bus driver," Davis said. "Gratefully, you're not a bus driver anymore with the junior high school."
Greg Hudnall, student services director for the Provo City School District, said Bair drove a bus on a middle school and elementary school route from January 2005 until his arrest.
Deputy County Attorney David Sturgill said the sexual incidents occurred between Sept. 30 and Oct. 14.
A second man also purported to have sexual relationships with the girl was sought by police. Arturo Santillan, 22, remains at large.
The third man, Gustavo Rene Martinez-Ayala, 19, was sentenced in January to 490 days in jail for having sexual relations with a 12-year-old girl, who knew the 13-year-old girl.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
