Another Ohio man held in Randolph County sex sting
WINCHESTER, Ind. — For the second time in less than a week, Randolph County authorities have arrested a man from Greenville, Ohio, on allegations he tried to arrange sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Michael E. Rush, 70, was actually communicating online with an undercover deputy from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department.
Rush was arrested last Wednesday on preliminary counts of attempted child molesting, a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison, and attempted child solicitation, a Level 4 felony with a maximum 12-year sentence.
Rush’s arrest came six days after another Greenville man — Brian Christopher Cox, 26 — was arrested in Randolph County under similar circumstances.
A detective with the sheriff’s department reported Rush, “on a social media application,” first contacted the account of what he believed was a juvenile on April 18, asking if she wanted to “play around'” and whether she liked “older men.”
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►Ohio man arrested in Randolph County sex sting
By the following day, Rush had allegedly expressed interest in “spending the night” with the girl. He later allegedly sent lewd suggestions about his plans.
Rush later made plans to meet with the girl at a Winchester convenience store, and was taken into custody when he arrived.
While being questioned, Rush apologized to a Randolph County detective for “ruining your day.”
Randolph County Prosecutor David Daly’s office last week was given until Tuesday morning to file formal charges in the case.
In the other recent case involving a Greenville resident, Cox has received an Aug. 9 trial date after being formally charged in Randolph Circuit Court with attempted child molesting and child exploitation.
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Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at [email protected].
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