BOYNTON BEACH (FL)
WPEC - CBS 12 [West Palm Beach FL]
November 9, 2026
By Grace Bellinghausen, Al Pefley
A Palm Beach County school employee and youth pastor who allegedly solicited a 14-year-old boy during an undercover online sting was arrested Monday, police said.
Donald Rush, 65, of Lake Worth Beach was arrested after an undercover investigation by the Boynton Beach Police Department’s Human Exploitation Task Force.
Rush appeared in court Tuesday morning. A judge set his bond at $85,000 and ordered him not to have any contact with Palm Beach County School District employees or students. The judge also ordered he cannot have any contact with anyone under the age of 18 and no internet access.
According to police, detectives posed as a 14-year-old boy advertising lawn mowing services on Craigslist when Rush allegedly contacted the fake account under the screen name “Palm Guy.”
Investigators said Rush began asking the supposed teenager his age, whether adult men had approached him about sexual activity and whether he had told his parents about those encounters.
The conversation later moved to text messages, where detectives again made it clear the boy was just 14 years old.
Despite knowing the boy’s stated age, police said Rush continued asking sexually explicit questions about the teenager’s experiences while discussing his own sexual activity.
With assistance from the Palm Beach County School Board Police Department, detectives located and interviewed Rush, who police said confessed to his involvement.
During the investigation, Rush also claimed to be a youth pastor, according to police.
Rush, an employee of the Palm Beach County School District, faces charges of solicitation of a minor to engage in sexual conduct and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
The Palm Beach County School District says Rush was an electrician based out of the School District’s North Transportation Facility at 7061 Garden Road, Riviera Beach. His defense attorney would not comment after Rush went before a judge Tuesday morning.
Sean Cooley, Chief of Communications with the Palm Beach County School District, sent CBS12 News a written statement: “The School District of Palm Beach County is aware of the arrest of Donald Rush, an electrician with the School District.
Upon notification of his arrest, the Division of Human Resources immediately revoked his access to all school facilities. Further employment actions are pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigation and court events. As this remains an active investigation, the District cannot provide additional comment at this time.
The safety, security, and well-being of our students is our highest priority. The School District does not tolerate any conduct that threatens student safety. The District holds all staff members to the highest professional and ethical standards of conduct and remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment.”
The District says Rush is being terminated, effective November 11.
Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, who’s now an attorney in private practice in West Palm Beach, says the case is a reminder for parents to pay attention to who their children are communicating with online.
“Parents need to be extra vigilant on the computer use and phone use of their kids. If you give them access to the internet, you give them access to a world of potential predators, and it’s really important to monitor and to be vigilant, to know who your kids are talking to, when they’re talking to someone and what they’re talking about,” Aronberg said.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who may have been victimized by Rush or has information about similar encounters is urged to contact Detective Joseph at 561-742-6158.