West Chester man also barred from unsupervised contact with minors
Terry C. Smith
A former school bus driver was ordered on Monday, April 21, to spend 1 ½ to 4 years behind bars for a series of sexual assaults against a child that occurred a decade ago.
Chester County Court Judge Jacqueline C. Cody accepted a plea agreement for Terry C. Smith, 64, of West Chester, on charges that included endangering the welfare of a child, indecent assault, and corruption of a minor, court records said. The agreement, negotiated between Deputy District Attorney Deborah Ryan and defense attorney John J. Duffy, also includes five years of probation, no unsupervised contact with minors, and provisions of Megan’s Law, such as lifetime registration. Smith must also undergo an evaluation to determine whether he meets the criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator, which would trigger additional restrictions, records said.
Smith, who previously worked as a bus driver for Garnet Valley schools, was arrested in October following a six-month investigation by West Goshen Township Police. Police said they received a complaint on April 3, 2013, from the victim, now an adult, who said that Smith supervised the victim and other children during “sleep-overs” at Smith’s residence. The victim said Smith initiated indecent contact with the victim in the overnight hours, police said.
During the investigation, police said they utilized technological equipment and procedures to identify and corroborate the allegations. They said Smith admitted to his actions, citing that he was sexually attracted to the victim, who was 8 when the first indecent contact occurred. Police said the assaults began during 2002 and continued over multiple occasions, ending during 2004.
