Headlines these day seem rife instances of alleged child sexual predators combing playgrounds, parks and schools for their victims. That’s what makes the news this week out of Chicago regarding a former school bus driver pleading guilty to possessing and distributing child porn all the more sickening.
The Associated Press reported that Mario Meschino, 46, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the child pornography charge. Evidently, there were two other charges, but prosecutors agreed to drop them in exchange for his plea.
At sentencing on April 14, the former First Student employee could be sent to prison for up to 30 years and be fined $500,000.
According to police, Meschino admitted to storing the child porn on his computer and to transmitting it to others via the Internet. And what should cause shudders everywhere to parents and pupil transporters alike, is that he also admitted to taking pictures of clothed children on his Planeview school bus. It was unknown if any of those students were his victims.
Whether Meschino sought a school bus driver position for the sole purpose of being closer to children is anyone’s guess. The AP said that he had been employed by First Student since 2004, and that the company fired him after his arrest last May.
The judge said it best that the “creepiness” of Meschino’s crime was justification in itself for not revoking bond. Even after his arrest and on home confinement while awaiting trial, neighbors complained to police that he was taking pictures of clothed children from his house.
