A former Sherburne-Earlville school bus driver pleaded guilty to a felony charge recently. The driver was originally investigated in 2022 for offenses relating to touching students on the bus, but the investigation revealed a prior conviction relating to a sex abuse case from 1987 that was unknown to school officials. Parents sued the school following the arrest. (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH - A former Sherburne-Earlville school bus driver pleaded guilty to a felony charge on the morning of his retrial December 9, resolving a high-profile case that has raised questions about school safety and hiring practices.

The driver was originally being investigated in 2022 for offenses relating to touching students on the bus, but an investigation revealed a prior conviction relating to a sex abuse case from 1987 unknown to school officials, prompting additional charges.

Douglas C. Webb, 64, admitted in Chenango County Court to first-degree offering a false instrument for filing with the intent to defraud, a Class E felony, which satisfied all charges against him. The charges involved misleading school officials on an application, where Webb allegedly did not disclose the previous conviction.

Webb was originally indicted for first degree offering a false instrument for filing with the intent to defraud, a class E felony, second degree falsifying business records, three counts of forcible touching, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors.

A previous jury trial in July ended in a mistrial. At the trial Webb took the stand in his own defense.

According to the prosecution, in his full-time application, Webb checked “no” to a question asking if he had ever been convicted of a crime, felony or misdemeanor. In a later question asking the applicant to explain further any crime, felony or misdemeanor committed, Webb did not write anything.