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Cellphone texts lead to charges on officer

3 min read

A Washington police officer is accused of giving tips of undercover sting operations to a prostitute working in the city while the two carried on a sexual relationship for five years.

Joshua J. Rush, who has been a city police officer for 10 years, was charged Friday with obstruction of justice, hindering prosecution and reckless endangerment after investigators said they found cellphone text messages from him to a known prostitute warning her of a sting Sept. 17.

Investigators said they first became concerned about Rush when Beth Ann Davis, 31, allegedly solicited an undercover officer at North Franklin and Church streets in Washington. After being arrested, she showed the officer texts that indicated Rush, who was also working an undercover detail for the district attorney’s Drug Task Force, was trying to distract his supervisor during the early morning patrols in order to protect Davis, police said.

A subpoena for her cellphone led police to discover messages from Rush’s phone providing “details of undercover operations, prior warning and protection from arrests” for Davis, court records indicate. Police said they also found text messages from Davis to Rush asking him to send provocative photos of himself in his police uniform.

The text messages also indicated an ongoing sexual relationship between the two after Rush arrested Davis for prostitution in 2007.

Rush, 39, of North Strabane, was arraigned Friday by District Judge Robert Redlinger and released on an unsecured $10,000 bond. His attorney, Joseph Francis of Washington, did not immediately return a call for comment on his client’s charges.

Washington police Chief Chris Luppino said Rush was put on paid administrative leave immediately after the text messages were discovered and for the duration of the investigation. He will remain on leave until City Council determines his employment status, Luppino said, which could happen as soon as next week. Luppino praised the other officers for their work in the investigation.

“I think the public needs to know that the actions of one officer should not reflect negatively on the rest of the department,” Luppino said.

Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone blasted Rush for allegedly hindering an investigation and putting his supervisor at risk during the “dangerous and difficult job” of undercover patrols.

“The investigating officers are to be commended for promptly working to insure the integrity of the criminal justice system and safety of their fellow officers,” Vittone said.

Rush’s preliminary hearing before Redlinger is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 16.

Davis will be charged with prostitution by the district attorney’s Drug Task Force.

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