INDIANAPOLIS — A New Palestine man faces nearly a dozen child seduction charges amid allegations he had inappropriate interactions with students at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, where he worked as a Marine Corps JROTC instructor.
Troy Rush, 42, was arrested this week. He faces 11 felony child seduction charges.
The arrest follows an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigation launched in June after a teen, who recently graduated, told school officials she had a sexual relationship with Rush during her high school career, court documents state.
School officials placed Rush on administrative leave during the investigation, school officials said in a statement.
He immediately resigned from his position following the launch of the investigation, they said.
Students at Warren Central reportedly called Rush “captain” because of his leadership role in the school’s JROTC program, court documents state. JROTC is a program designed for youth interested in joining the military after high school.
The teen, who was a JROTC member, told school officials she and Rush began a physical relationship in November 2013 when she was 16. The relationship continued until the girl graduated, court documents state.
The girl told investigators she and Rush often met for sex during school hours in the JROTC supply closet on school grounds, court documents show. They also exchanged inappropriate text messages and social media threads, court documents state.
Rush would regularly remind her to delete the messages and photographs they exchanged, court documents state.
The girl told police she heard rumors that Rush had inappropriate interactions with other students, court documents state. Police interviewed six students during the investigation. Many told investigators Rush often made sexual comments or made advances at them, court records state.
Warren Central High School officials said they are working closely with police as the investigation continues but declined to provide further comment.
A warrant for Rush’s arrest was issued in Marion County last week. He was jailed Monday and was released Tuesday on a $15,000 bond.
If convicted, Rush faces up to 52½ years in prison and $10,000 in fines. He was scheduled to appear for an initial hearing Thursday afternoon in Marion County Superior Court, Criminal Division 1.
He is scheduled to return to court in August.
Calls to Rush for comment were not returned by press time.