Former school bus driver charged with sex crimes against Durham middle school student gets $2M bond

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Kenneth Arnold Thompson Jr., 25, is being held on a $2 million bond after prosecutors say he engaged in sexual encounters with a middle school student dating back to one year ago.

According to court documents, the first sexual encounter happened in 2024, when the victim was 13 years old. Thompson was an employee of Durham Public Schools from 2023 to 2025, according to a school district spokesperson.

The five charges Thompson is facing, including statutory rape, involve the same victim.

The investigation began in August when the mother of the female student contacted the sheriff's office and alleged that Thompson had been engaged in sexual activities with her daughter since November 2024. After an investigation, Thompson was arrested on Wednesday at his home in Guilford County.

An attorney on Thursday said Thompson's family asked him to make an appearance to ask the judge to reduce the bond to $250,000.

The attorney said Thompson has no criminal history, no longer lives in Durham County and is a college student in Alamance County.

"He hasn't been in trouble," the attorney said. "He does attend church and he's been a good person. But I do understand the seriousness of the nature of these charges. But I think he has family support to make sure he stays away from the victim."

The judge ultimately kept the bond at $2 million, citing limited information.

"Based on everything that the court has before it, without any more detailed information, the court is not willing to consider a substantially low bond for this level of offenses without more information being presented to the court from the state as well," the judge said.

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The judge said it's likely that Thompson can be considered for a lower bond if there is more information on the charges he is facing.