Great Bend Post

ELLSWORTH COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Ellsworth County are wrapping up their investigation on the reported sexual assault on a Great Bend Activities bus.

The alleged incident occurred in Ellsworth County and Sheriff Tracy Ploutz has been handling the case.

Ploutz said Thursday afternoon that his investigation is not complete but he had enough finished to hand over to the Ellsworth County Attorney.

While criminal charges are a result of the investigation, Ploutz found no reason to believe sexual assault occurred.

“In my opinion I could see there was anything of a sexual nature,” he said. “That met the requirements under state statute.”

Ploutz said he found four victims of battery, five suspects committing the battery, two victims of criminal restraint, and three suspects for the criminal restraint.

Ellsworth County’s investigation involved the incident that took place on February 6 while the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is handling a separate report of sexual assault on a Great Bend High School bus on February 3.

As to what exactly happened on the bus that has five suspects for battery, Ploutz said he could not reveal that information.

The Ellsworth County District Attorney Joe Shepack will have final say on determining the charges.

USD 428 recently stated they are in the process of changing bus policies to prevent similar behavior.