A former Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy and cadet advisor was arrested on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, for sending inappropriate, “romantic” messages to a 16-year-old girl in the agency’s cadet program.
Details of the Case
Skylar Lamar Bush, 29, served as an advisor for the PCSO cadet program. The investigation began on Monday after another cadet reported witnessing concerning messages between Bush and the victim.
- The Messages: According to investigators, Bush told the teenager he was “falling in love” with her and expressed a desire for her to have his children.
- The Admission: When questioned, Bush reportedly admitted to being “emotionally entangled” with the teen. He also admitted to deleting his messages and instructing the victim to delete hers to hide the evidence.
- Current Findings: Detectives stated that while there are no allegations of physical contact, the behavior is being treated as a clear attempt at grooming.
Charges Filed
Bush is facing multiple felony charges, including:
- An authority figure engaging in a romantic relationship with a student
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Official Response
Sheriff Grady Judd criticized the former deputy’s actions, describing the behavior as a “gross obsession.”
“He attempted to groom her. At this point in this investigation, there is no evidence that there was any physical contact… but my detectives are still investigating. If he’s done this to someone before, we want to know about it.” — Sheriff Grady Judd
Bush, who was hired by the agency in August 2022, was immediately arrested and his employment terminated. Investigators are currently looking into whether there are other potential victims.
Tsk, tsk. Forbidden fruit there, deputy.