A school bus driver has been charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds after police found a .22 caliber rifle on board the bus.
State Police received a complaint-in-progress that David Ferry had just purchased the rifle when he was seen driving away from the retail store in a Naples School Bus on Monday. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office located the bus on State Route 247 in Gorham and conducted a traffic stop at the request of State Police.
A search of the bus turned up the rifle secured under a seat in the original package, and there was no ammunition. There were 12 students on board the bus at the time.
Troopers say there is no indication Ferry purchased the rifle with the intent of carrying out school violence and there are no credible threats to the Naples school district.
The 57-year-old Naples man was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child and was released on appearance tickets for Gorham Town Court. The school released a statement on Tuesday indicating Ferry is no longer employed by the school.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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