Johnstown — A 66-year-old former school bus driver is behind bars after Licking County investigators say he shared explicit videos with two students, turning a school concern into a criminal case in a matter of days. The investigation started after Johnstown-Monroe school administrators flagged the situation to law enforcement at the end of May. Officials say Steven E. Rudisill was arrested on June 10 and is being held at the Licking County Justice Center while detectives continue their work.
According to the Licking County Sheriff's Office, as reported by Local 12, investigators interviewed identified victims and witnesses and determined Rudisill was employed by Community Bus Services, the private transportation provider contracted by the district. He is charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a first-degree misdemeanor, along with obstructing official business and resisting arrest, both second-degree misdemeanors. Authorities have not released further details about the content of the alleged videos or the ages of the students, and the sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call (740) 670-5555.
What the charge means
Under Ohio law, R.C. 2907.31 makes it a crime to sell, provide, or otherwise disseminate material that is obscene or harmful to juveniles. When the material is considered harmful but not legally obscene, the offense is a first-degree misdemeanor. If the material is obscene or the victim is under 13, the charges can jump into felony territory. Sentencing rules give judges some leeway, but a first-degree misdemeanor can carry up to 180 days in jail, plus potential fines and restitution. The statutory language and sentencing ranges are laid out in Ohio Revised Code §2907.31 and §2929.24.
Similar cases around Ohio
Allegations that school staff have exchanged or shared explicit images and videos with or of students have been surfacing across Ohio this year, underscoring how phones and social media can turn into serious safety hazards. In May, a former Centerville school employee was indicted after prosecutors said he shared a video of a student, according to WHIO. And in March, a Wilmington coach admitted to hidden-camera recordings of teens in a separate case.
Investigation and next steps
The Licking County Sheriff's Office says the investigation is still very much active, with detectives continuing interviews and reviewing digital evidence. That means the current list of charges could change as they sort through what they find. Parents, students, and community members with tips are urged to contact the sheriff's office at (740) 670-5555, a request relayed by Local 12. According to authorities, the Johnstown-Monroe district referred the matter to law enforcement on May 28 and has not released further public comment.
