A former Spotsylvania County Public Schools bus attendant who sexually abused young, non-verbal special-needs children on his daily route was sentenced Friday to a total of 201 years in prison, with 48 years to serve.
Miguel Angel Velasquez-Velasco, 23, pleaded guilty in September to 13 felony and misdemeanor offenses, including aggravated sexual battery and custodial indecent liberties, for assaults that prosecutors say took place on a school bus carrying children ages four to eight.
Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey said the sentence exceeded the high end of Virginia’s recommended guidelines. Prosecutors argued for a punishment that would “take up the rest of the defendant’s natural life.”
“It is technically possible that he could live long enough that 201 years would take up the rest of his life, but it is doubtful,” Mehaffey said. “The defendant committed incomprehensible crimes against multiple non-verbal, disabled children and deserves severe punishment.”
Mehaffey praised the work of investigators, deputies, and prosecutors who handled the case. He also credited the school bus driver who insisted that camera footage be reviewed, leading to the discovery of the abuse.
“Bus Driver Tammy Lake saved the innocence of countless children,” he said. “She is a hero to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.”
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School division issues statement
Shortly after sentencing, Spotsylvania County Public Schools released a lengthy “For Immediate Release” statement outlining the timeline of events, the division’s response to the initial complaint, and new safety protocols now in place.
SCPS said it refrained from ongoing public comment while the criminal case was pending “to ensure justice was served” and thanked the Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney for securing a conviction “to the full extent of the law.”
According to the division, the first complaint was filed on the evening of September 11, 2024, when a parent emailed a teacher saying the substitute attendant had held and rubbed their child’s hand in a way that made the student uncomfortable. SCPS said the concern was “immediately addressed” under existing policy.
On September 26, school officials were alerted to possible sexual misconduct by the same attendant. The division said it acted “immediately” to notify Child Protective Services and the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Child Victims Unit while beginning an internal investigation.
Velasquez-Velasco was fired that night. Parents of affected students were personally contacted, and the Sheriff’s Office later arrested him on 11 felony charges.
SCPS emphasized that all employees undergo fingerprinted background checks, FBI and Virginia State Police screenings, and CPS registry searches. The division said Velasquez-Velasco met all requirements and had verified work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Officials said the division fully cooperated with law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the case.
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New safety protocols put in place
In response to the case, SCPS said it has implemented multiple new safeguards for buses serving students with disabilities:
- Routine review of bus surveillance footage, not only after complaints or accidents.
- Striving to assign two attendants on special-education routes.
- Changing where attendants sit during transport.
- Additional staff training and collaboration with CPS, the Child Victims Unit, and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
- Providing detailed hiring and background information to the School Board, not only Human Resources.
- Requiring School Board approval for hourly employees, not just full-time staff.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our greatest priority,” the division wrote. “We do not condone or tolerate any harmful actions. When concerns arise, we act immediately, including by terminating employment and alerting law enforcement.”
SCPS encouraged parents and employees to report concerns, including through the division’s anonymous tip line.
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Community outrage and renewed calls for oversight
The case has generated significant public outcry, including questions about the two-week period between the September 11 complaint and the September 26 discovery of criminal conduct caught on camera.
Parents and advocates have also raised concerns about special-needs transportation protocols, bus camera monitoring, aide supervision, and communication practices within SCPS.
Mehaffey said his “heart and prayers” are with the victims and their families and asked that God “bless them and heal them.”
