(McKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: August 27, 2026): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a former Bradford Area School District bus driver has been sentenced to state prison for crimes against children on his school bus, a foster child placed in his home, and another child.  During the sentencing hearing on August 27^th, the judge sentenced WILLIAMS to a state sentence of at least 11 years and 4 months to 22 years and 8 months plus 3 years of consecutive supervision. 

City of Bradford Police began an investigation after receiving a report that WILLIAMS was taking photographs of children on his bus.  Officer Tony Lama discovered the photographs to be of young girls on the bus while they were clothed but placed in a provocative pose so that their genital area covered by underwear was prominent in the photographs and of another young girl who visited his home who he photographed with the camera focused on the child’s genital area while it was loosely covered with a bathing suit.  

While Officer Lama was investigating the case, he learned that WILLIAMS was a foster parent and had performed a sex act against a child in his home. Officer Lama referred the report to Corp. Sierra Rooke of the Pennsylvania State Police due to the jurisdiction of that subsequent crime.  Corp. Rooke learned that WILLIAMS committed the sex act and had also removed the camera on the school bus to hinder the investigation into the photographs from the original report.  

WILLIAMS pled guilty to Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Tampering with Evidence, Sexual Abuse of Children (Child Porn – 6 images), Corruption of Minors, Unlawful Contact with a Minor, and Endangering Welfare of Children. 

A hearing was held in July for the Court to determine if WILLIAMS meets the definition under Pennsylvania law of a sexually violent predator.  During the hearing, the District Attorney presented the testimony of expert witness Brenda Manno who opined that WILLIAMS’ actions met the definition of predatory behavior because his acts were directed at a person with whom he initiated or maintained a relationship in order to facilitate his crimes.  Following the hearing, the Court found that WILLIAMS met the definition of a sexually violent predator which requires lifetime registration as a sex offender and a sentencing date was set.

DA Vettenburg-Shaffer urges anyone who suspects child abuse to call 911 and report it to Childline child abuse hotline at 1-800-932-0313.  Services for victims are available by calling the YWCA of Bradford at 1-888-821-6325.

Created Aug 27, 2026 @ 3:52 PM