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ALBA - Kenneth Bigger was arrested April 22 at Alba Public School, where he worked as a bus driver and lunch room supervisor, after an investigation found enough evidence to arrest him for four counts of alleged sexual conduct fourth degree with a student.

The Antrim County Sheriff's Office received a complaint from the family of the victim, a female between the age or 13 and 16, that Bigger engaged in sexual contact with her during the months of March and April.

The investigation began immediately following the complaint, according to Sheriff Terry Johnson. A detective went to the school and found enough evidence right away.

"He (Bigger) confessed to quite a bit of what went on so we ended up arresting him at the school," Johnson said. "It's just a sad case because these kids are put in a school environment and they want to trust everybody and they should be able to. And then you get somebody like this who messes up the whole system."

Bigger, 53, was held in the Antrim County jail with a $50,000 cash surety bond, which he posted using a bonding company, and was able to be free with several conditions.

Bigger was arraigned in the 86th District Court in front of Judge John Foresman the morning of April 24 and appeared with his attorney Daniel Hartman.

The crime Bigger is being charged with is a misdemeanor with a maximum jail time of two years and/or $500. Criminal sexual conduct fourth degree is classified as forceful touching, according to Michigan law, whereas some higher degrees of conduct are felonies. Bigger is being charged with four identical counts, but the two years don't pile up per count, according to Prosecuting Attorney Charles Koop.

When Bigger appeared in court for the arraignment, Judge Foresman said he could have no contact of any kind with the victim, including any threatening or harassing behavior and could not be around anywhere that children will be.

Koop also requested Bigger not be allowed on the property of Alba Public School.

"I'm putting in a letter of resignation today," Bigger said in his only words before the judge.

At the arraignment Foresman set up Bigger's pretrial for May 6 at 10 a.m. and the preliminary exam May 15 at 11 a.m.

Johnson said they are continuing to investigate the case and they believe it happened in a residence.

"We don't believe it happened on a school bus or school grounds - it was isolated from that," Johnson said. "The only reason the school was involved is because of the setting - because he worked there."

Alba is a small school with around 220 students between grades kindergarten through 12.

"The school has been extremely cooperative," Johnson said. "They're sad about this situation. They've done everything they could."

Hadley Robinson can be reached at hrobinson@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-533-8523.