Scholarship News

Sanford, FL, United States (AHN) – A Florida father who stormed onto a school bus and unleashed a tirade on youngsters who were bullying his developmentally disabled daughter has avoided jail time.

James Jones accepted a plea deal in connection with his September arrest for disorderly conduct. He signed the deal on Tuesday that includes six months on probation, paying a $1,000 fine, taking an anger management class and completing 10 hours of community service.

If he successfully completes those requirements, prosecutors will drop the two misdemeanor charges he faces: disorderly conduct and disrupting a school function.

His profanity-laden tirade caught on the bus’ videotape sparked a nationwide debate on how to handle bullies. Many across the nation went on the Internet to applaud his efforts. He became a folk hero to many parents.

The father’s verbal confrontation was sparked by a call that his daughter didn’t want to go to school and ride the bus. It appeared his 13-year-old daughter, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was being harassed by people on the bus.

She was the victim of taunts, unable to have a seat on the bus, and had condoms thrown at her. On Sept. 3. allegedly only initially planning on asking the driver what was going on, Jones shifted his attention to the students on the bus and eventually threatened the driver.

His loud outburst was recorded and the video footage hit airwaves across the nation with the student’s faces blurred out but Jones clearly and visibly incensed.

“I’m gonna (expletive) you up. … this is my daughter, and I will kill the (expletive) who fought her,” Jones said.

Then speaking to the driver he is heard saying, “If anything happens to my daughter I’m going to (expletive) you up and everybody on this (expletive),” he said.

Even prior to exiting the bus, he dares them to call the police. “You call the police, call them. My brother’s the damn deputy sheriff.”

Since the tirade and national exposure, Johnson and his family have appeared on several network morning news shows, campaigning against bullying.

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