City officer placed on probation in prostitution-related case

The Washington police officer accused of tipping off a prostitute about an undercover sting operation plead guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor counts of obstruction of justice and hindering prosecution.
Judge John DiSalle sentenced Joshua J. Rush to 12 months of probation for each count to run consecutively, for a total of 24 months of probation.
A reckless endangerment charge was dropped.
Rush, a city police officer for 10 years, was arrested Sept. 26 for sending text messages to a woman warning her of an undercover prostitution sting operation by the District Attorney’s Drug Task Force.
Police said Rush attempted to distract his supervisor while they drove together in an unmarked car during the sting. After the two parted ways, the supervisor reportedly was solicited by the woman, Beth Ann Davis, in the area of West Walnut and North Franklin streets. Court documents allege Davis, 31, of Wheeling, W.Va., offered the undercover officer sex in exchange for “donations” before a uniformed Washington patrolman pulled them over.
Police said Davis had text messages from Rush on her cellphone warning her of the sting that day and messages indicating the two were carrying on a sexual relationship for about five years after Rush arrested Davis for prostitution in 2007.
Davis is scheduled for a pretrial conference Sept. 10 before DiSalle.
Because of his three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan while in the U.S. Air Force, Rush, 40, of North Strabane Township, was admitted into veterans court, a specialty court used to identify, treat and supervise veterans who enter into the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Gene Vittone said the circumstances of Rush’s service overseas, his having no previous criminal record and his commendation from the Charleroi Regional Police Department, a former employer, for saving a life while on duty, led to the probationary sentence.
“He has a lot of mitigating factors that need to be considered,” Vittone said. “These are pretty significant things that make me think probation is more appropriate than jail time.”
Vittone said Rush will no longer be able to work as a police officer and that his sentencing could have ranged from probation to one month in jail.
“I think (Judge DiSalle) made the right decision in granting admittance into veterans court,” said Joseph Francis, Rush’s attorney. “He recognized the need, appropriateness and positive effect it will have on Josh.”
In May, Francis made a motion requesting Judge Valarie Costanzo not preside over the case after she refused to accept a plea deal. She then removed herself from the case before testimony was to begin.
Upon his arrest, Rush was immediately placed on paid administrative leave, but his status was changed to suspension without pay in October.
Francis said Rush submitted a letter of resignation to city council Thursday.
“We received his letter, and there will be a motion to accept at (Thursday’s) meeting,” Mayor Brenda Davis said Thursday. Without discussion, council unanimously accepted Rush’s resignation Thursday night.
Francis said Rush has been working in the transportation industry since being placed on leave from the police department.
“He’s had gainful employment and has been working hard,” Francis said of Rush. “He’s anxious to move forward with his life.”