Former Botetourt County School Bus Driver Pleads No Contest to Assault Charges Involving Students
- BTW21
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. — A former Botetourt County school bus driver, Raymond Lewis Sherwood III, has pleaded no contest to assault charges involving students. The plea comes after a case that initially included 25 counts of assault and battery.
According to Botetourt County Commonwealth’s Attorney John Alexander, Sherwood, 47, entered pleas to two of the counts, which have been placed under advisement for a period of 12 months.
During this probationary period, Sherwood must maintain good behavior and refrain from contacting the victims involved.
If he complies with these conditions, the charges will be dismissed at the end of the year-long period.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors decided not to pursue the remaining charges. Alexander noted that the resolution was reached after consultation with the victims and their families, all of whom supported the outcome.
The case stemmed from an investigation initiated by the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office launched the probe in April 2025 after receiving a report from a school system representative regarding allegations of misconduct while Sherwood was operating a school bus.
The report, which led to the investigation, cited multiple incidents of inappropriate behavior with students under Sherwood's care.
Sherwood had been employed as a school bus driver by the Botetourt County Public Schools system prior to the investigation.
The school system, which cooperated fully with law enforcement, has since taken measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.
Sherwood’s future actions will be monitored closely over the coming year to ensure compliance with the conditions of the plea agreement.
If he adheres to these stipulations, the charges against him will be dropped, and he will avoid further legal consequences.
The investigation and its resolution have brought a sense of relief to the local community, though concerns about student safety on school buses remain a topic of ongoing discussion.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of vigilance and transparency in ensuring the protection of young passengers.
Background of the Case
Sherwood, a former school bus driver, was initially charged with 25 counts of assault and battery after allegations surfaced that he had engaged in inappropriate conduct with students while transporting them to and from school.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office took swift action, launching an investigation into the claims.
At the heart of the plea deal was the desire for a resolution that could bring some sense of closure to the families involved, while also holding Sherwood accountable without the need for a prolonged legal battle.
As part of the agreement, Sherwood will also be required to avoid any further contact with the victims and to maintain a clean criminal record during the probationary period.
Should he violate the terms of the agreement, the case could be revisited, and the full range of charges could be reinstated.
Botetourt County officials and local law enforcement have indicated their commitment to protecting children in school environments and ensuring that all school employees are held to the highest standards of conduct.