Date: October 17, 2012
by: The Observer Staff

Justin Rushing, 22, of Bunnell

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Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Bunnell resident Tuesday afternoon on charges that he sexually molested a young girl for several years beginning when the girl was about 7 or 9 years old, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Justin Rushing, 22, was being held in the Flagler County Inmate Facility Wednesday morning. He is facing three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct, one count of lewd or lascivious exhibition, one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of sexual battery on a person within familial custody.

The victim stated Rushing first began molesting her when she was between the ages of 7 and 9. The sexual conduct and lewd and lascivious conduct occurred in Rushing’s bedroom at his home on Old Dixie Highway.

The victim said the abuse continued until she was about 16 years old. She first reported the abuse in February. Detectives, working with the state’s Child Protection Team members, launched an investigation which culminated in Rushing’s arrest.

“Cases such as these are tragic because they involve young children — a precious resource in any community that deserves to be safe,” Sheriff Donald Fleming said in a statement.

Rushing is being held without bond in the Flagler County Inmate Facility.