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So. Fla. officer accused of touching 2 boys

Posted at 9:51 PM, Apr 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-15 07:24:34-04

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. -- A Coconut Creek police officer has been arrested for sexual battery, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit.

Daniel Rush, 26, was taken into custody at approximately 4 p.m. Thursday at the Coconut Creek Police Department. He is charged with one count of custodial sexual battery and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.

BCSO says the victims are two men, believed to be 13-years-old at the time of the incident.

Investigators say the accusations first came to light on Sunday when one of the victims handed another parishioner a note while attending services at a Pompano Beach church. The note included claims of sexual misconduct, deputies say.

The next day, the parishioner reported the incident to the BSO Pompano Beach district office and turned the victim's note over to a deputy.

During the investigation, deputies learned that the sexual offenses occurred last year. A second victim was later identified.

Rush admitted to knowing the boys but denied their allegations.

Daniel Rush is the co-founder of a mentoring organization, Men of Virtue & Ethics.

Due to the group's association with other churches, detectives say they are concerned there may be more victims.

If you have information about other victims or believe your child may be a victim, please contact BSO Special Victims Det. Ann Suter at 954-321-4240.  If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.