Accused bus driver arraigned, detained

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Limousine bus driver Luis Guevara-Henriquz, who on April 14 was arrested after some of his 16- and 17-year-old passengers — among them students in the Sewanhaka Central High School District — were found to be intoxicated, according to New York State Police, was detained after his arraignment on April 23 following a confrontation with a photographer outside Southampton Court, Chief Court Clerk DeBorah Renee Brathwaite said.

Brathwaite said that Guevara-Henriquz, of Hempstead, had pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of children, and posted bail of $5,000. She also told the Herald that Guevara-Henriquz was held outside the court after his arraignment because “something happened involving a photographer.” Brathwaite offered no further details because, she explained, “[the photographer] did not press charges.”

According to state troopers, on April 14 Guevara-Henriquz had picked up the teenagers in Garden City and was driving them to Montauk. Guevara was arrested at a rest area on Sunrise Highway in Southampton after Troopers arrived at the scene, having received a 911 call at 9:30 that night about a female screaming. Troopers said they discovered more than 100 cans of beer and “several gallons of various opened and empty whiskey and rum bottles” inside the Coachman bus, which was carrying 42 youths, and arrested Guevara-Henriquz “due to the intoxication of the youths, the amount of alcohol on board and the condition of the bus.”

Guevara-Henriquz is due back in court on May 21.