Local school bus driver accused of inappropriately touching several students

A Coachella Valley Unified School District bus driver is behind bars after being accused of inappropriately touching several students.

Jose Luis Moncada, 64, of Desert Hot Springs was located at his place of employment and arrested on the 87000 block of Avenue 57 in Thermal on Friday morning.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department revealed that deputies were first notified of the inappropriate touching in October 2019. Investigators from the Thermal Sheriff Station later discovered several other students reported the same allegations.

Investigators also disclosed that they learned Moncada had "previously inappropriately touched several students while conducting his duties as a school bus driver during the year 2010."

The Sheriff's Department did not mention where Moncada worked at the time or if he was arrested for this incident.

CVUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Gandera told News Channel 3, the district received a student allegation regarding inappropriate contact by an unidentified school bus driver. The district was unaware of any allegation before Oct. 2019.

"The alleged incidents were reported to have occurred ten years ago. However, no identification was made at that time," wrote Dr. Gandera.

Dr. Gandera continued, "Upon receiving the report, the District immediately contacted Child Protective Services and law enforcement. The District has assisted law enforcement since October with their ongoing investigation."

For this recent accusation, Moncada was transported and booked at the county jail in Indio for multiple charges of lewd acts with a minor.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Herrera by calling 760-863-8460.

We have reached out to the Sheriff's Department for further clarification but have not heard back at this time. Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.