Waukesha County judge raises cash bond for Pewaukee school bus driver, 62, charged with sexually assaulting students

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The 62-year-old Pewaukee elementary school bus driver accused of sexually assaulting his students is now facing an even higher cash bond, after a hearing Monday morning.

On June 2, Thomas Felser appeared in Waukesha County court for the second time within a week.

Last Wednesday, he pled not guilty to the seven felony charges he faces, which include repeated sexual assault of same child and sexual misconduct by school staff or volunteer.

Court documents said Felser sexually assaulted a 6-year-old girl on his bus route for eight months until he was discovered in May 2025 by the child's mom.

Investigators said he also touched a 5-year-old girl under her clothing while other students were on the bus.

"This is someone who used his position of trust and authority to repeatedly abuse now not just one victim but multiple victims," said Assistant District Attorney Vivien Morris. "The evidence in this case shows that the defendant was trying to position these victims on the school bus in such a way to avoid detection."

But Felser's attorney called his client's initial $350,000 bond "excessive."

"Here we have already existing $350,000 cash which Mr. Felser's unable to post," said Attorney Craig Powell.

However, the state argued the bond should increase, citing more potential victims and Felser being a possible flight risk.

"Bail will be a total of $400,000, with a $50,000 increase in light of the amended charge," said Judge William Domina with the Waukesha County Circuit Court.

Felser will appear next in court on Aug. 11.