Former Islip school bus driver accused of sexual contact with a minor arraigned
Germis Santos, 37, of Brentwood had been on the job for just 14 days when the transportation company removed him after learning of his arrest.
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A former school bus driver in the Islip Union Free School District faced a judge for the first time since his shocking sex abuse arrest came to light earlier this month.
Germis Santos, 37, has been charged with second-degree sexual conduct against a child under the age of 13, third-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.
On Oct. 1, Islip Superintendent of Schools Dennis O'Hara sent a letter home to the community notifying them about the arrest.
According to the letter, Santos was in his first year with the district and had only driven on the route for 14 days between the first day of classes until his dismissal on Sept. 22, when the busing company, Suffolk Transportation Service, learned of his arrest.
Officials with the busing company told News 12 that Santos was hired after he had passed a rigorous background check that included a criminal screening through the sex offender database, fingerprinting as well as drug and alcohol testing.
Suffolk County police said Santos personally knew the victim. The alleged abuse lasted for two years, beginning in 2021, before Santos was assigned to Islip schools.
School officials said they had no indication that any Islip students were involved.
"I want to reiterate we are taking these accusations extremely seriously, and we remain committed to assuring the safety and well-being of our students," O'Hara wrote earlier this month.
Earlier this month, Santos' attorney denied the accusations against his client.
"I fully expect the felony charges to be dismissed and him to be completely exonerated," Santos' attorney Vess Mitev told News 12 earlier this month.
The Brentwood resident is in ICE custody was arraigned in Riverhead.
