School bus driver from Marlborough charged with child rape

A Marlborough man who has been working as a school bus driver was arraigned on child rape charges last Friday.

Derek Thistle, 32, faces charges of forcible rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and open and gross lewdness, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office.

Last July, Thistle allegedly exposed himself while communicating with a child on FaceTime. The victim’s aunt, who was home at the time, observed the FaceTime call, Ryan’s office said.

After that incident, the victim revealed that Thistle had sexually assaulted him when he was visiting Thistle’s home a few months prior.

Thistle pleaded not guilty, according to court documents. He was ordered held on $10,000 bail and is set to appear in court again on May 17.

Thistle drove buses for multiple Massachusetts school districts, including Littleton, Marlborough, and Sutton, WCVB reported. He was known to ask children for hugs, get their phone numbers, and contact them through online gaming platforms. Parents in Sutton went to police after noticing the suspicious behavior.

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