11/10/2026
The Boynton Beach Police Department’s Human Exploitation Task Force arrested 65-year-old Donald Rush, a Palm Beach County School District employee from Lake Worth, following an undercover investigation in which he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.
During the investigation, BBPD detectives posed as a 14-year-old boy advertising lawn mowing services on Craigslist’s Community messaging board. Detectives were contacted by an individual using the screen name “Palm Guy,” later identified as Rush, who asked the boy his age, whether adult men had approached him about sexual activities, and whether he had told his parents about those interactions.
The conversation subsequently moved to text messaging, where detectives again made it clear that the boy was 14 years old. Despite knowing the boy’s stated age, Rush continued the conversation, asking sexually explicit questions about the boy’s experiences and making statements about his own sexual activity while communicating with him.
With assistance from the Palm Beach County School Board Police Department, detectives located and interviewed Rush, who confessed to his involvement. During the investigation, Rush also claimed to be a youth pastor.
Rush was arrested and charged with Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Conduct and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device. He is currently being held at the Palm Beach County Jail.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Rush, or who has information about similar incidents involving him, to contact Detective Joseph at 561-742-6158.
