Former School Bus Driver Arrested for Sexual Crimes
Press Release
May 10, 2013 – On March 28, 2013, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint in reference to allegation of sexual criminal acts perpetrated by a former school bus driver in the Alexandria area.
The complainant reported to have received information that 67-year-old Walter Newson Jr. had committed multiple criminal sexual acts upon juveniles while in his care. During the investigation, RPSO Detectives were able to establish sufficient evidence that supported the allegations. As a result, on May 7, 2013, warrants were granted for Newson’s arrest for eight counts of Sexual Battery and eight counts of Indecent Behavior With Juveniles.
On May 8, 2013, representatives of the United States Marshals Service Violent Offender Task Force made contact with Newson at his residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Walter Newson Jr. of 100 Spring Street in Pineville, Louisiana, was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center, where he remains, on eight counts of Sexual Battery and eight counts of Indecent Behavior With Juveniles. Bond has been set at $240,000.00.
Detectives say the investigation is still ongoing and additional arrests are possible. If you or someone you know has any information pertaining to this case or any other sexually based crime(s) involving this suspect, you are asked to contact Detective Stephen Phillips at (318) 473-6727 (Criminal Investigation Division), (318) 473-6700, or (318) 443-7867 (Crime Stoppers).
