Durham County deputies arrested a school bus driver after he allegedly had multiple sexual encounters with a middle school student, the sheriff's office said.

Kenneth Alexander Thompson Jr., 25, is charged with:

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  • Three counts statutory rape of a child younger than 15
    • One count of first-degree statutory sex offense
      • One count of sexual activity with a student

        A release from the sheriff's office states authorities arrested Thompson on Wednesday at a home in Burlington.

        The mother of a female student contacted the Durham County Sheriff's Office in August, claiming Thompson engaged in sexual activities with her daughter starting in November 2024.

        Some parents in Durham call the charges disturbing.

        “It’s terrifying. I have an almost middle school age kid and I have one that just left middle school. It’s terrifying to think that those kids could’ve been hurt," said Nicole Tate, a parent of two. 

        Many parents in the district rely on bus transportation for students, and in light of the accusations they are questioning if they want their kids on busses. 

        “Some parents desperately need the bus drivers to get their kids to school and they don’t have the luxury of being able to transport their kids to places," Tate said. " They are depending on the people who hire these people (bus drivers) to do their jobs and to make sure that they hire qualified people.”  

        WRAL contacted Durham Public Schools and asked if Thompson was hired during the bus driver shortage that impacted the district, and what was the employee vetting process at the time when he was hired.

        In response a district spokes person said Thompson worked as a bus driver from April 2023 until March 2025 and referred all other questions about Thompson's time at the district to DPS Human Resources. 

        Authorities are holding Thompson at the Durham County Detention Facility without bond. Thompson's first court appearance was on Thursday, his next is December 15th.

        Additional charges are pending, the Durham County Sheriff's Office said.

        The investigation is ongoing.