Bourbon Bus Driver Charged With Molesting Juvenile

A Leasburg man employed by the Crawford County R-1 School District in Bourbon has been charged after he allegedly molested a juvenile on the bus.

James H. Philpot, 73, faces two counts of second-degree child molestation.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Philpot is accused of inappropriately putting his hands down the juvenile’s pants on the bus more than once.

The school district provided video from the bus that confirmed the juvenile’s claims.

He also can be seen kissing the victim on the mouth.

Philpot was interviewed May 1 and denied touching the victim near their genitals or kissing them.

According to the probable cause statement, the juvenile was molested April 27-28.

In the video on April 27, the victim can be seen sitting on Philpot’s right leg while the bus was traveling.

Philpot’s right arm is wrapped around the victim’s body and his hand is not visible.

The victim gets off the bus and Philpot can be seen bringing his right hand to his nose.

On April 28, the victim again sits on Philpot’s right knee. When the victim gets up, Philpot again brings his hand to his nose.

As the victim gets off, they are seen giving Philpot a hug. After the hug, Philpot says something like “nose to nose.” 

The victim rubs their nose on Philpot’s nose, then he initiates a kiss.

Philpot denied the accusations. He allegedly admitted to rubbing the victim on the leg, saying the juvenile came to him saying their leg was sore.

The next day, Philpot said the juvenile told him their belly was hurting, so he offered to rub it.

Philpot said his hand was under the victim’s shirt and inside the waistband, approximately 5 to 6 inches below the belly button.

He said he did not remember touching their genitals.

In a press release, Crawford County R-1 Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs said the district is cooperating with the investigation and that Philpot has been placed on leave pending further review.

“Our Board of Education’s policies set forth the standards of expected staff conduct,” Gibbs said. “All employees also participate in annual training regarding appropriate conduct towards students, including appropriate boundaries.”

The probable cause statement says that Philpot was charged in 1968 for indecent exposure due to peeing on a beach in California.

In 1969, he was charged in California for assault with intent to rape.

He said he was accused by a police officer’s wife while employed as a gas station employee.

Philpot said the officers as new at the department and wanted to make a name for himself, so they pushed the charge.

Gibbs said that if any parents or guardians with concerns about Philpot’s conduct towards their children, they should contact the district at 573-732-4426 or Detective Ben Lunyou at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department at 573-775-2125.