Man accused of using ‘threatening’ language toward students aboard Berkeley County school bus arrested

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — A man accused of using “threatening” language toward students after illegally stopping a Berkeley County school bus has been arrested, according to authorities.

31-year-old Ronald Olivier, Jr. was taken into custody during a traffic stop Tuesday evening. He is expected to face charges for kidnapping, interference of operation of a school bus, and third-degree assault and battery.

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 Olivier and 28-year-old Jakevah Rahsha Brown, exited the vehicle and boarded the bus. Witnesses said Brown verbally confronted students regarding an alleged altercation involving her child.

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.

Brown was arrested May 7 and is facing similar charges.