PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Detectives in North Carolina on Tuesday arrested former QI Roberts Junior-Senior High School teacher Robert Grady Bush Jr., 54, of Palatka and accused him of a second-degree felony of authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, a FortifyFL tip on Oct. 14 alleged inappropriate texts between Bush and a student. Some of the texts were sexual in nature.
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Detectives said Bush came into the sheriff’s office on Oct. 29 and detectives seized his phone. At that time Bush was aware of the criminal investigation but left for North Carolina, the sheriff’s office said. He returned on Nov. 3, but then left again on Nov. 15.
On Nov. 19, detectives got an arrest warrant.
While talking to Bush on the phone, the sheriff’s office said he told detectives he was “out of town,” and did not provide a date to return or complete an interview. Detectives then contacted Transylvania County, North Carolina detectives who were able to locate Bush and arrest him. He is being held in North Carolina on a $150,000 bond.
According to the school district, Bush has taught at the district 15 years and started at QI Roberts in 2016. He has primarily taught in the high school portion of the school in several fields. When the investigation began, Bush was placed on administrative leave by the school district. During the investigation, Bush chose to resign before it was completed.
“It is reprehensible that a person in an authority position who interacts on a daily basis with teens and builds trust could abuse that power to groom a vulnerable youth,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. “At this time of their life, teenagers are in an awkward position where they are at odds with their parents and are looking for guidance from those they perceive to trust. He has abused that trust for not only himself but also for those who selflessly dedicated their time to educating our students.”
Due to the nature of the crime and to protect the victim’s identity, the sheriff’s office said no further specifics would be provided in this case.
The sheriff’s office believes there may be other victims.
“We strongly encourage parents whose children have had interaction with Bush to talk to their students about any possible inappropriate actions or texts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 386-329-0800 and ask for Detective Gogan,” the sheriff’s office said.
