Florida Police Officer In Jail Over Unthinkable Act

July 16, 2024 Sharon Banks

In a deeply troubling incident, a woman courageously recorded a harrowing encounter with a Florida police officer who allegedly coerced her for oral sex during a domestic dispute call. Amid her fear and desperation, she firmly told the officer, “No… I’m not a prostitute,” standing up to the abuse of power.

The West Palm Beach Police Department has taken swift action, announcing the arrest of 33-year-old officer James Matthew Bush. Bush, once a figure of trust, now faces serious charges including attempted sexual battery and robbery.

The night of July 10 started like any other for Bush, who responded to a call around 9 p.m. about a man trying to force his girlfriend out of their apartment near Village Boulevard. Upon arrival, Bush advised the man to leave and pursue legal eviction proceedings.

When the girlfriend approached Bush for help, she was met with an inappropriate suggestion to “go upstairs and have some fun.” Hoping to clarify his intentions, she asked, “OK…to talk?” However, once they were upstairs, Bush grabbed her arm, leading her into a room and making her sit on the bed. Feeling an immediate threat to her safety, she offered him a kiss, hoping to prevent further harm.

In a desperate attempt to escape, the victim went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, with Bush watching closely. He then directed her back to the bedroom, positioning himself between her and the door. As he unzipped his pants, he pressured her for oral sex, despite her repeated refusals. His chilling words, “I want this,” echoed through the room.

After several minutes of coercion, he grabbed her neck, trying to force her compliance. Even then, she bravely refused his offer of $2,000 for a place of her own, insisting, “No… I’m not a prostitute.”

Bush eventually left, leaving the woman to face her boyfriend, who dismissed her ordeal and continued with eviction efforts.

Nicole Bishop, director of Palm Beach County Victim Services expressed profound sympathy for the victim and condemned Bush’s actions as a severe breach of trust. “From a young age, we are taught to respect authority figures like police officers. This individual betrayed that fundamental trust,” Bishop said. She highlighted the troubling reality that sexual misconduct is the second most common offense reported against police officers.

Later that night, the woman’s ordeal continued as her boyfriend called the police again, seeking a restraining order against her. Another officer arrived with Bush. Seizing the opportunity, the woman told the new officer about the earlier assault. Bush, however, denied the allegation calling her a liar.

When she mentioned having video evidence on her phone, Bush reportedly seized it and deleted the video while the other officer watched passively. She looked to this second officer for help, but he did not intervene. Investigators later recovered the footage which contained only audio.

Despite the immense challenges, Bishop praised the woman’s courage in coming forward. “Victims often feel like no one will believe them especially when accusing a police officer,” Bishop said.

The department swiftly placed Bush into custody on July 12. In an interview with detectives, he admitted to parts of the alleged actions, painting a grim picture of betrayal and abuse.

West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley emphasized the department’s commitment to accountability and justice. “When someone abuses their authority to commit a crime, we must act swiftly to protect the community and hold the perpetrator accountable,” Adderley said.

Bush, now stripped of his duties, faces multiple charges including false imprisonment, robbery with a firearm, soliciting prostitution, tampering with evidence and attempted sexual battery. He remains in Palm Beach County Jail on a $341,000 bond, facing the consequences of his grave actions.