Former Rushford school bus driver Timothy Thomas Wilkemeyer, 54, was sentenced this week to 90 days in jail and five years of probation after admitting to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a disabled student. The sentence also includes an 18-month prison term that could be imposed if he violates probation. Court records and local reporting indicate the abuse happened multiple times during the winter and spring of 2017 while the victim was still in high school.
Allegations in the criminal complaint
According to the criminal complaint, the victim, described as a disabled juvenile, told investigators that Wilkemeyer had been her bus driver since she was 5 and that he exposed himself and engaged in sexual contact with her multiple times on the school bus and near her home, according to KROC-AM. The documents reviewed by the outlet say some of the conduct occurred after the teen had discussed sex with Wilkemeyer and asked him to expose himself.
Plea and sentence
Under a plea agreement reached in March, Wilkemeyer admitted to an amended charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person in a position of authority and was sentenced this week in Winona County, according to reporting by WJON. Court coverage states he received a 90-day jail term, five years of probation, and an 18-month stayed prison sentence that could be imposed if he violates probation.
How the case came to light
The case first surfaced publicly in August 2025, when the Rushford police chief contacted the Winona County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators later interviewed the woman and opened a criminal complaint, earlier coverage shows. Reporting by FOX9 said the victim’s mother told police her daughter is on the autism spectrum and had difficulty with emotional understanding.
Legal note
Minnesota law defines fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct to include sexual contact when the actor knows the complainant is mentally impaired or when the actor occupies a prohibited occupational relationship with the victim (Minn. Stat. §609.345). The statute carries felony-level penalties, and the outcome in this case, along with the stayed prison term that can be activated if probation is violated, aligns with the range of penalties described in the law and in local court reporting; see Minnesota Statutes and court coverage for details.
Support for survivors
Advocates say anyone affected by sexual abuse should contact local victim-services programs or the national RAINN hotline for confidential support and information about reporting options. RAINN operates a 24/7 confidential helpline at 800-656-HOPE and offers online resources for survivors, according to RAINN. Local law enforcement and court records provided the factual basis for reporting as the case moved through the Winona County court.
