Local investigation into Great Bend bus incident yields potential charges

Ellsworth County Sheriff Tracy Ploutz has handed over the results of his investigation into alleged incidents that took place the evening of Feb. 6 aboard a USD 428 Great Bend school bus as it passed through Ellsworth County on its way home from a swim meet in Manhattan.
Ploutz told the Independent-Reporter Thursday he believes enough evidence exists to charge five suspects with battery and three suspects with criminal restraint.  
A final decision on charges will be made by Ellsworth County attorney Joe Shepack, who received the sheriff’s report Wednesday morning.
Ploutz said six victims have been identified. The victims and the suspects range in age from 14 through 17 years. Because of the ages of the students involved and the nature of the alleged crimes, no names are being released to the public. However, at least one of the victims and his family have gone public with their allegations.
Ploutz said his department continues to investigate and more charges are possible.