LITCHFIELD - A Litchfield Superior Court judge raised the bond of a former New Hartford bus driver this morning who is facing five years in jail for second-degree sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy.

Steeves' defense counsel, Attorney Ira Mayo, and Assistant State's Attorney Terri Sonnemann agreed that Ronnie Steeves' bond should be raised due to difficulties Steeves is facing in the home. He lives at 260 Steele Road in New Hartford.

Judge James P. Ginocchio agreed to increase Steeves' bond $50,000 putting his total bond at $250,000. Steeves has been at liberty since his arrest last June. The time Steeves serves in jail from now until March 26, when he is slated to be sentenced, will be credited to his overall sentence.

The accused pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to the sex assault charge stemming from an incident last summer. Steeves was charged with committing oral sex on a teenage boy staying at his house, who was a friend of his daughter. The boy immediately alerted police after getting out of the house and Steeves was arrested shortly therafter.

He first denied any sexual contact, but then later changed his statement, saying he could not remember exactly.

Recently he was placed under electronic monitoring, being given a bracelet to wear so authorities could keep track of his wherabouts. That bracelet is slated to be removed today as he now goes in for incarceration, Mayo said.