3-year sentence in sex offense on disabled victim

A former bus driver for adults with special needs was sentenced to three years in state prison Friday for a sex offense against one of his former clients.

Jeremy Lordall Hubert, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of lewd and lascivious battery on a disabled adult last month in connection with a 2014 incident.

In August 2014, Hubert drove a bus for ARC Gateway — an organization that provides transportation, social and employment services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

According to investigators, Hubert had an adult client perform oral intercourse on him while they were alone on the bus.

During a sentencing before Judge E.P. Nickinson on Friday, Hubert said the client had approached him. However in interviews with investigators, the victim reportedly said she cooperated with Hubert — whom the Pensacola Police Department reported as being 7-feet tall and 400 pounds — because she was afraid of him.

Hubert had no previous criminal record and expressed remorse for his actions, according to attorneys. In addition to serving his recommended sentence of 36 months with credit for time served, Hubert will be registered as a sex offender.