Brian Jerome Armstrong, 48, who has been employed with the district since 1994, was arrested on charges of purchasing and possessing child pornography, a felony. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on Feb. 12, with bail set at $5,000. At press time Armstrong had made bail and been released.

According to Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force Sgt. Ted Marfia, Armstrong was picked up by sheriff's detectives at his home in Willow Glen on WillowTree Court in between bus shifts on Feb. 12. A search warrant had been issued after federal investigators contacted the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.

"A couple of weeks ago, we were contacted because a person in Florida was arrested for distributing child pornography last year," Marfia said. "[Federal investigators] located the customer list, and one of the individuals on that list was here. The investigators requested our assistance in taking him into custody."

Marfia also confirmed that when the task force arrived at Armstrong's home, he was watching child pornography videos. "We found copious amounts of child porn" in his residence, Marfia said.

San Jose Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Fuqua said that Armstrong had undergone a thorough police record check prior to being hired 10 years ago. She also confirmed that the district had no complaints on record.

"If there had been any complaints on file, that would have been something we could have immediately followed up on with any of our employees, especially a school-bus driver, " she said.

"If something was filed directly with the police department, it was nothing we were aware of," she said. "When the police contacted us, we immediately reviewed our records, double-checking them, but nothing came through our office that raised any concerns."

Fuqua also emphasized, "Safety is definitely the district's main concern with each student. Student achievement is a top priority for us, but safety is our No. 1 priority."

Since the incident Armstrong has been placed on paid administrative leave. He drove the south central route in the San Jose Unified School District.

Sheriff's detectives are asking anyone who has been in contact with Armstrong to call the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force at 408.808.4300.

Staff reporter Beth Walker contributed to this story.