A West Palm Beach police officer is behind bars following allegations of an attempted sexual assault during a response to a domestic call. According to CBS12, Officer James Matthew Bush, 33, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including attempted sexual battery and robbery.
As stated in the report from the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD), last Wednesday, Bush initially responded to a call where a man was attempting to evict his girlfriend. Suggesting that the man leave the premises, Bush's professional conduct took a grievous turn. The officer reportedly directed the woman upstairs to "have some fun," a prelude to the alleged assault detailed in the statement. The officer also offered her money to find a new place, as he exposed himself and tried to coerce her into oral sex, the WPBPD statement alleges.
Attending to the same address four hours later, due to a separate call requesting a restraining order from the aforementioned man against his girlfriend, Bush, allegedly committed another transgression. During this follow-up visit, Bush returned, accompanied by another deputy as the situation again necessitated police intervention. It is during this interval that the woman confided in the second responding officer, disclosing that Bush had sexually assaulted her earlier that day.
Seemingly to conceal his actions, Bush is accused of snatching the woman's phone and deleting the incriminating footage of the incident. Yet, WPBPD spokespersons made clear in the reports from WPBF that investigators retrieved the deleted video, further implicating him. On July 12, Bush was taken into custody and relieved of his duties. His bond was set at $341,000.
Bush, employed with the police department since 2021, now faces significant legal repercussions for his conduct. In a statement obtained by WPBF, WPBPD expressed their commitment to community safety and accountability, with Chief Frank Adderley underscoring the imperative to "swiftly act in the best interest of the community we serve and hold those responsible who breach the public trust."
