2 accused of illegally stopping Berkeley County school bus, confronting students

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A man and woman are accused of illegally stopping a Berkeley County school bus to confront children.

The incident happened May 5 when a bus carrying students to Devon Forest Elementary School was forced to stop on Baxter Brown Way near the Waters at St. James Apartments complex due to a vehicle blocking the roadway, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

The bus driver told law enforcement that two people, identified as 28-year-old Jakevah Rahsha Brown and 31-year-old Ronald Olivier, Jr., exited the vehicle and boarded the bus. Witnesses said Brown verbally confronted students regarding an alleged altercation involving her child.

Deputies added that Olivier used threatening language toward students.

The sheriff’s office said multiple students were visibly upset by the incident. It also caused a disruption to the normal operation of the bus route.

“This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis. “Those that disrupt and compromise the safety of children and school personnel will be held accountable.”

Brown was arrested May 7 on charges of ‘kidnapping’ and ‘interference of operation of school bus.’

Deputies are working to locate Olivier, who will face similar charges, including ‘assault and battery in the third degree.’ Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office by calling 843-719-4505.