Former U.P. bus driver found guilty again decades after first conviction

MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WJMN) — An Ely Township man has been found guilty of another sex crime against a child under 13, according to the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office.

Bruce Ilves, 74-years-old, was found guilty last week on one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct – 2nd Degree (Person Under 13). According to court documents, the crime happened in September of 2022.

Attorneys with the Prosecutor’s Office said they the bravery of the victim in this case, along with
the other victims of the Defendant, in coming forward and facing the Defendant in court.

Ilves could face up to 15 years in prison when his sentence is announced at his court hearing in July. Prosecutors say he also faces a minimum of 5 years behind bars due to a previous conviction for a similar crime Ilves committed in 2002.

According to documents filed in the Court of Appeals in 2004, Ilves was sentenced to 4 1/2 to 15 years in prison for inappropriately touching another child under 13 while working as a bus driver.

The documents say the victim and two police officers testified that Ilves had, on multiple occasions, reached his hands into the pants of a young girl who was standing next to him while he was operating a bus. Five other witnesses said they were also touched inappropriately.

In today’s release, prosecutors wrote, “cases involving sexual abuse of children are never easy for the victim and their family, but our goal is to hold these offenders accountable and we would not be able to do so were it not for the courage shown by all involved in this case.”

To report sexual assault or to find resources, you can go to the state’s sexual assault hotline website or call/text 1-855-864-2374.

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