Family sues Valley Stream Central High School District over daughter's alleged rape by bus driver

Last year, a school bus driver was arrested and charged for allegedly raping and kidnapping a Valley Stream student who rode on his bus route between January and July of 2023. Now, the father of that student has filed a lawsuit against Nassau County, Valley Stream Central High School District, the bus company, and the indicted driver, claiming negligence. It’s unclear, however, how much the family is asking for in damages.

Giovanny Campos, a middle-aged man from Queens was charged with kidnapping, rape, criminal sex act, and reckless endangerment of a minor on Nov. 30 of last year. He was indicted by a grand jury before Supreme Court Justice Robert McDonald where he pleaded not guilty.

While Campos’ criminal case is pending, if found guilty, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. He is due back in court on May 2. 

Campos was employed as a driver with the Cheese Bus Company, where he routinely drove students from Valley Stream Central High School to North High School.

Starting in early May,  Campos allegedly raped the teenage girl in a parking lot while still on the bus and sexually abused her in his apartment in Queens.  He was arrested at his home on Sept. 28.

“School bus drivers are trusted to transport and protect our children, but this defendant allegedly preyed on a teenage student and sexually abused her both on his bus and at his apartment in Queens,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release last year. “This office is committed to prosecuting predators who prey on vulnerable children.”

Valley Stream Central High School District Superintendent Wayne Loper said the district could not comment on pending litigation but said immediate steps were taken to remove Campos from providing transportation services when the allegations first came to light. 

“The District is aware of legal action which has been filed and criminal charges concerning the disturbing allegations against a bus driver formerly employed by a transportation provider which provided shuttle bus services last year,” he said in a statement. “Our District is a place where our students should be safe, and we condemn in absolute terms any violation of that safety, as well as the unspeakable harm the accused is alleged to have inflicted.”

“Since that time, we have been cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation of this matter,” he continued. “Additionally, we have offered assistance and mental health resources to the affected student, their family, and any other students who may be in need. We have and continue to encourage anyone with additional information regarding this matter to immediately report it to our staff and to the Nassau County Police Department.”