Former PCSO Deputy Charged with Felonies Over Texts to Teen Cadet

Skylar Bush, 29, was arrested following an investigation that began when another cadet reported witnessing concerning text messages between Bush and the teenage cadet in the PCSO cadet program, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Bush, who served as an advisor for the program, admitted during interviews with detectives that he had become "emotionally entangled" with the victim, according to PCSO records. Investigators say Bush sent multiple inappropriate messages to the cadet, including statements that he was falling in love with her and wanted her to have his children. "This 29-year-old demonstrated a gross obsession, and he attempted to groom her," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. Detectives found no evidence of physical contact at this stage of the investigation, though the case remains active. Bush faces three felony charges: authority figure engaging in a romantic relationship with a student, tampering with physical evidence, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Investigators determined that Bush deleted his text messages and instructed the victim to delete hers, leading to the evidence tampering and communication device misuse charges. Bush resigned from PCSO following the investigation. The case underscores broader public safety concerns in Polk County and across Florida, where law enforcement agencies face increased scrutiny over personnel conduct and youth program oversight. Detectives continue investigating whether Bush may have engaged in similar behavior previously or targeted other victims within the cadet program. The PCSO cadet program, designed to introduce young people to law enforcement careers, has not released public guidance on additional safeguards being implemented in response to the case. No statement regarding program policy changes was available as of Monday morning.