Six months in jail ordered for ex-bus driver who had sexual contact with passenger

WAILUKU -- A six-month jail term was ordered for a former bus driver who admitted to having sexual contact with a mentally handicapped passenger.

Jhunne Bugtong, 37, of Kahului, who was originally charged with third-degree sexual assault, had pleaded guilty to an amended charge of first-degree terroristic threatening.

Bugtong was a bus driver for Maui Economic Opportunity when he had sexual encounters with the woman, who was a regular passenger, in January 2019, Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp said. He said Bugtong had parked in an isolated location in Central Maui when the sexual contact occurred.

The contact involved sexual touching, according to the indictment returned in September 2020 against Bugtong. When he was questioned by police, he "confessed and admits that what he did was wrong," according to a document filed in the case.

Although Bugtong told police that the woman had agreed to the contact, Hupp said the state's position was that she wasn't mentally fit to do so.

The victim's guardian didn't write a letter to the court because she had planned to speak at the sentencing Tuesday, Hupp said. "She notified us this week she could not do it," he said. "She did not think she could compose herself enough to make a statement in the court."

The prosecution sought an 11-month jail term for Bugtong as part of a plea agreement also recommending probation.

Bugtong, who was helped by an Ilokano interpreter at the hearing, asked be spared any additional jail.

"I'm sorry," he said in court. "I regret what happened."

Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Wolfenbarger said Bugtong "from the beginning has been very regretful, very apologetic."

He is hardworking and supports his family and children, Wolfenbarger said.

"He had no intent to subject the victim to any trial," he said.

Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill imposed the six-month jail term as part of four years' probation for Bugtong. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and her guardian.

Hupp said the family was happy that Bugtong took responsibility for his actions and apologized.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.