Troy man arrested for attempting to coerce a minor
The man was a bus driver in the Troy City School District
ALBANY, N.Y. >> A 52-year-old Troy man appeared in federal court Tuesday on a charge of attempting to entice a minor into sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to the criminal complaint, Michael Varian, a school bus driver, attempted to entice and coerce an individual, whom he believed was a 14-year- old boy, to engage in sex.
After weeks of exchanging sexually explicit text messages with undercover law enforcement officers posing as the boy, Varian arranged to meet the boy at a location in Albany County, where Varian was arrested.
In a statement from Troy City Schools Superintendent John Carmello on Dec. 11, “administrators were informed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that a Star and Strand Transportation, Inc. bus driver had been arrested for allegedly attempting to entice a minor for sexual activity.”
“At this time, the District has not been made aware of the involvement of any Troy students. The parents/guardians of the Troy students on this driver’s routes are being notified, and this driver will no longer be transporting our students,” Carmello said.
“Star and Strand is one of several outside companies contracted by the District for student trans-
portation. Per New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines, bus drivers are subject to fingerprinting and background checks for prior offenses through the New York State Department of Criminal Justice and the FBI. In addition to the driver, a monitor is always present on the bus when transporting students,” Carmello noted of school district procedures.
“We are obviously disturbed by these allegations. The safety and security of our students, both in school and on school- provided transportation, remains our top priority. We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this ongoing investigation,” Carmello added.
If convicted, officials said Varian faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least five years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Additionally, if convicted, Varian would be required to register as a sex offender.
Varian appeared Tuesday before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered him detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 12, 2018.
This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Town of Colonie Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Kinsella Kistler.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation may contact Anyone who has information is asked to call a tip line at 1-800- CALLFBI (225-5324).