Man accused of sexually assaulting woman on MarqTran bus in court

A former MarqTran bus driver accused of sexually assaulting a passenger has been bound over for trial.

William Arbelius, 62, of Negaunee is charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct to a mentally challenged woman.

He was in court Tuesday for a preliminary exam.

Arbelius is accused of sexually assaulting the woman, who is said to have the comprehension level of a ten-year-old, as she rode his bus.

The 29-year-old alleged victim was unable to identify Arbelius when she testified.  However, she did recognize a jacket as part of the work uniform of her attacker.

District Judge Roger Kangas found her other statements credible along with witness testimony and additional evidence strong enough to rule in favor of the prosecution.

“The judge made a decision that there was probable cause to believe the crime was committed, probable cause to believe the defendant committed it, so the case will be sent to the circuit court where he will be arraigned and go on the trial docket in circuit court. Our game plan will be to present all the evidence we can and as much evidence as we can.  I am confident that we will be able to meet our burden of proof in this case,” Marquette County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Judd Spray said.

Arbelius could spend up to 45 years in prison if found guilty, as each count carries a possible 15-year sentence.

His next court date has not been set yet.