Police officer waives hearing in prostitution case
A Washington police officer accused of tipping off a prostitute about an undercover sting operation after allegedly carrying on a sexual relationship with her for several years waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday.
Joshua Rush, 39, of North Strabane Township, was scheduled to appear before District Judge Robert Redlinger Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
Rush, who was suspended without pay, was charged with obstruction of justice, hindering prosecution and reckless endangerment. He is free on $10,000 unsecured bond.
Rush is accused of sending text messages to Beth Ann Davis Sept. 17 warning her of the undercover prostitution sting operation by the District Attorney’s Drug Task Force in Washington that morning. Police said Rush also tried to distract his supervisor while they drove together in an unmarked car during the sting. After the two parted ways, the supervisor went back into the area of West Walnut and North Franklin streets and allegedly was solicited by Davis.
Davis, who police said goes by the street name Butterfly, offered the undercover officer sex in exchange for “donations” before a uniformed Washington patrolman pulled them over about a half-mile away, court documents allege.
Police said she had text messages from Rush on her cellphone warning her of the sting that day. Investigators said they also found text messages indicating the two were carrying on a sexual relationship for about five years after Rush arrested Davis for prostitution in 2007.
Davis, 31, of Wheeling, W.Va., was charged with prostitution. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 before Redlinger.
Rush was a city police officer for 10 years. Rush and his supervisor, who also is a city police officer, were working a detail for the drug task force during the sting.
A formal arraignment for Rush was scheduled Jan. 26 at Washington County Courthouse.