ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A case that sent shock waves across one Ross County school district came to a close this week.
David Seymour Jr. was charged in 2021 after an investigation into a sexual assault on a Union-Scioto Local School bus resulted in his arrest. In September of 2021, the Guardian broke the story of Seymour, who was caught on a school bus camera touching a 6-year-old girl inappropriately. According to the police report, the child told her bus driver that a “big kid” had touched her. School officials called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident, and video from the bus was reviewed by detectives. Seymour, a senior at Unioto High School at the time, could be seen moving into the girl’s seat, said investigators.
Concerned parents within the district took to social media and local news outlets to voice their concerns and frustrations over the lack of transparency from the school district. “I want to know if my kids are safe,” one district parent told the Guardian at the time. Many called for the resignation of Superintendent Matthew Thornsberry.
As part of the investigation into the school bus incident, police uncovered evidence of Seymour engaged in the “pandering” of child pornography. Officials told the Guardian over 30 images were discovered at the residence where Seymour resided. No district students, authorities said, were in the images.
David Seymour was subsequently indicted on charges of Gross Sexual Imposition and Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor.
Initially, Seymour pled not guilty by reason of insanity. That defense was later discredited after forensic psychologists found him competent to stand trial.
This week, Seymour took a plea deal and was sentenced by Judge Matthew Schmidt to 26 years in prison. Six years for Gross Sexual Imposition and an additional 20 years for Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor.
He remains in custody at the Ross County Jail pending transfer to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.