| For Immediate Release Case # 11HF3196
January 19, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MOLESTING THREE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 IN HIS APARTMENT
*OCDA is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims
SANTA ANA – A school bus driver will be arraigned tomorrow on charges of molesting three children under the age of 14 in his Laguna Hills home. Shane Norman Crawford, 37, Laguna Hills, is charged with five felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation for sexual crimes against multiple victims. If convicted, Crawford faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
Crawford is accused of gaining access to the children by befriending their parents.
Between Dec. 1, 2011 and Dec. 21, 2011, the defendant is accused of molesting 12-year-old Jane Doe #1 by touching her buttocks, vagina and breasts over her clothing while in his bedroom on more than one occasion.
Crawford is also accused of inappropriately touching 3-year-old Jane Doe #2. The defendant is accused of becoming sexually aroused when playing with Jane Doe #2 and getting an erection when her foot grazed his crotch.
Crawford is accused of cuddling with 13-year-old John Doe, touching John Doe’s legs, and getting an erection.
Jane Doe #1 disclosed the sexual assault to her grandmother, and the police were notified. During the subsequent investigation, the sexual assault of Jane Doe #2 and John Doe were reported.
Crawford worked as a bus driver for First Student Transportation, a company that provides transit services for various schools in South Orange County.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to call Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794.
Deputy District Attorney Nicole Nicholson of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case