Clay County Community Schools bus driver charged with solicitation of a minor

Friday, March 20, 2026 at 9:30 AM

By Paul Gable

A bus driver with the Clay County Community Schools found himself behind bars and facing serious charges.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a detective from Clinton County notified the Clay County Sheriff's Office to let them know he was working on an operation in Clay County on an individual that lived in the Brazil area and drove a school bus.

The investigation centered around the app Threads and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office detective reached out to a man, later identified as James Baskin, 51, Brazil, earlier this month. The detective told Baskin he was 15 years old, and, according to the probable cause, Baskin continued the conversation over a span of six days, making several "explicit" mentions of sexual activity. Baskin told the detective he wanted to become a foster parent so he could take the 15 year old decoy in and have intimacy more and more.

Baskin's identity was confirmed on details and photos sent through the app.

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Rayle said there is no indication that any of the district's students were involved or impacted. The district immediately put Baskin on administrative leave, prompting him to have no access to students, school facilities or district systems while an investigation takes place.

"Let me be clear: there is zero tolerance for behavior that compromises the safety or trust placed in those who serve our students. While this alleged incident occurred completely outside of our schools, we took immediate action to ensure there is no risk to our students," Rayle wrote in a statement.

In addition, Rayle issued a letter to district parents. In it, he wrote the district understood the "serious nature of this situation and the concern it may cause." He also asked parents to contact their student's building principal with any concerns specific to their child.

"Please know that the safety and well being of our students is, and always will remain our highest priority. Based on all information at this time, there is no indication that any Clay County Community Schools student was involved or impacted," he wrote.

Baskin was arrested and booked on a solicitation of a minor charge, a Level 5 felony.