Officer who co-founded mentoring organization accused of molesting children

Coconut Creek police Officer Daniel Rush co-founded a mentoring organization called Men of Virtue & Ethics. The self description on the website says it’s “an organization that is responsible for helping young men better their lifestyle through mentoring, character building and skills development.”

Rush, 26, sits in the Broward County Jail on one count of sexual assault of a teenage minor and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation by an adult on a 12- to 16-year-old after two boys claimed he had molested them. He was arrested Thursday. No bail has been set.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office didn’t say if the two boys were members of Men of Virtue, but were concerned that the organization’s association with several churches means there could be more victims who haven’t come forward. The first accuser came forward in a roundabout way via church, police say — he passed a note with the allegations to a fellow church member during last Sunday’s services.

The church member who received the note informed BSO. In the course of an investigation, a second boy told police Rush fondled him. Police say Rush acknowledged knowing both boys, but denied the accusations.

Anyone with information or who believes their child might be a victim has been asked to call Special Victims Unit Detective Ann Suter at 954-321-4240.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 9:53 AM with the headline "Officer who co-founded mentoring organization accused of molesting children."