Former Yelm bus driver arrested by FBI on felony sex charges related to minors

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collaborated with the Yelm Police Department (YPD) on Tuesday, April 21, to arrest former Yelm Community Schools (YCS) bus driver James Ruiz on charges of first-degree child molestation, first-degree rape of a child and first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

According to the Thurston County Jail roster, bail is set at $100,000 for the first-degree child molestation charge, and another $100,000 bond set for the first-degree child rape charge. Additionally, there is a $50,000 bond set for his first-degree charge of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Ruiz was also a former employee of YCS, but he officially resigned before the 2025-26 school year began. His resignation was made official during a YCS Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Yelm Superintendent Chris Woods issued a statement on the situation to YCS families on Wednesday, April 22, and confirmed that Ruiz was indeed a former employee of the district.

Woods wrote that the former employee was “arrested on deeply unsettling allegations that he committed serious crimes involving children.”

“Although we have very limited information at this time, we have been informed by the FBI that the allegations are not believed to involve YCS students and that the suspect is currently in custody,” Woods wrote.

The superintendent added that residents can contact YPD at 360-458-5701 if they, or someone they know, have any questions or any relevant information to the situation.

“YCS and YPD stand with Yelm families with an unwavering commitment to the safety of the children in our community,” Woods wrote.
Yelm Police Chief Rob Carlson told Nisqually Valley news on Monday, April 27, that YPD provided the FBI with some minor assistance during the raid. He noted the case was originally YPD’s, but due to the circumstances involved, it was referred to the FBI.