Bus driver who pleaded guilty to raping 14-year-old girl will not face any jail time

WATERTOWN, N.Y. – A New York bus driver will receive no prison time after pleading guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl who rode on his school bus, according to KXAN. 

Shane Piche, 26, was handed a 10-year probation sentence and will have to register as a Level 1 sex offender, according to the Watertown Daily Times. KXAN says the sentence was expected because, as a Level 1 sex offender, he is not considered to be a repeat offender. He will also have to pay $375 in court fees and surcharges, and a $1,000 special sex offender registration fee. 

New York State Police say Piche met the girl through his job as a bus driver, but that the incident happened at his home in June 2018. 

Piche was charged with rape and first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child and endangering the welfare of the child after he allegedly gave her alcohol. 

In February, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of third-degree rape. The district attorney reportedly asked for a Level 2 sex offender designation but the judge decided that the sentence was appropriate because Piche had no prior arrests and there was only one victim in the case.