Former Aledo Bus Driver Arrested

FORT WORTH — Azle police arrested a former Aledo school bus driver who is accused of indecency with a child involving a 15-year-old Aledo High School girl who was a regular on his route, authorities said.

Eugene Taylor, 59, was arrested this morning at his Fort Worth home, Azle Police Chief Steve Myers said. Investigators were waiting for the suspect, and when Taylor arrived and saw them, he attempted to flee, the chief said.

Taylor was employed as a driver by Dallas County Schools, an intermediate education agency that provides various transportation services to nine school districts in Dallas County, and Aledo. The company is not affiliated with Dallas County nor Dallas Independent School District, according to its Web site.

The incident occurred Oct. 9 while Aledo was in Azle for a football game, authorities said.

Myers said Taylor was a regular route school bus driver, and that is how he knew the victim.

The night of the incident, Taylor was driving a truck that was moving band equipment from Aledo High School to Azle High, Myers said.

"He (the suspect) became aware that the victim wanted to go to the game and didn’t have a ride," Myers said. "He approached her and told her that he could give her a ride to the game because he was driving to the game."

Myers said the suspect made advances toward the girl and had physical contact with her inside the vehicle shortly after they arrived at Azle High School.

Taylor faces a charge of indecency with a child, which is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $10,000. He is being held at the Azle jail on $75,000 bond.

Azle police are investigating the case because it occurred in their jurisdiction.

Taylor has a previous arrest for assault with intent to murder out of Bexar County, police said.