By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor
MERRILL – Former Tomahawk school bus driver James T. Schmit, who was found guilty of child enticement after pleading no contest to the felony charge in February, will be sentenced on May 13, court records state.
Felony counts of abduction of a child-detaining and stalking were dismissed but read in.
Schmit, 54, was arrested in June 2017 following an incident involving a then-15-year-old girl who rode his bus. Schmit didn’t immediately drop the girl off at her home and instead suggested she stay on the bus and visit while he dropped off the other students.
A criminal complaint filed with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office stated Schmit suggested he show the girl where he lived. He drove to his residence, parked the bus and asked the girl if she wanted to see his dog. The girl declined and said she needed to get home right away. Schmit then drove the girl back to her home after passing her home two times.
Once at the girl’s residence, Schmit hugged the girl, kissed the side of her forehead and told her that he loved her, the complaint states.
The girl was not physically harmed in the incident.
Schmit faces up to 25 years in prison.