Rogers bus driver is accused in sexual assault of student

BENTONVILLE — A bus driver for the Rogers School District was arrested last week in connection with sexually assaulting a student.

Rafael Ballesteros, 59, is free on $100,000 bond after being released from the Benton County jail.

He was arrested in connection with two counts of sexual assault. Prosecutors have not filed formal charges.

Jason Ivester, a spokesman for the school district, said Ballesteros was placed on paid administrative leave as soon as the district was made aware of the investigation.

Rogers police received a report March 5 concerning a bus driver sexually assaulting a girl, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girl’s age was redacted from the affidavit.

She was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County, where she reported that Ballesteros had inappropriately touched her during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, according to the affidavit.

The girl said Ballesteros would touch her at times, and it was painful and she would cry, according to the affidavit. The affidavit claims the girl reported that Ballesteros would take her to a convenience store on 24th Street and the abuse happened several times when she was alone with him.

The girl said she did not know where the bus aides were while she was being abused, the affidavit states.

Another bus driver told police Ballesteros did stop at the convenience store and would take female students inside to the bathroom, according to the affidavit.

Ballesteros was questioned by police and confirmed that there were times he had to drive the bus without an aide due to being short-staffed, the affidavit states.

He told police he had taken the girl on at least one occasion to the bathroom at the store and bought snacks, but Ballesteros denied ever inappropriately touching the girl, according to the affidavit.

Ballesteros said he may have inadvertently touched the girl while buckling her seatbelt on the bus, the affidavit states.

Bentonville District Judge Ray Bunch ordered Ballesteros not to have any contact with the girl or any other minors.

His arraignment is set for 8 a.m. April 15 in Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green’s courtroom.

Ivester said Ballesteros had been a driver for six years, and the school district is cooperating with police in their investigation.