Sex offender, 2 neighbors arrested called 'monsters' by Bradford County sheriff

Bradford County Sheriff's Office booking photos (from left to right): Amanda Wert, Henry Rush, James Mort

BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. – A registered sex offender was arrested for sexual battery of someone younger than 18, an additional count of sexual battery involving multiple perpetrators, other sex charges and tampering with evidence, according to the Bradford County Sheriff's Office.

Henry Rush and two of his neighbors all face multiple charges in case that began last week when the Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Florida Department of Children and Families. 

Recommended Videos



"Three monsters have been caged, one of which has already been identified as a sexual predator while the other two will hopefully be labeled as predators upon conviction," Sheriff Gordon Smith said.

Investigators found that Henry Rush had not updated his current address on his driver's license and he was arrested for failure to change address within 48 hours as a convicted sex offender requirement. Detectives obtained and searched Rush's home at the Lost Valley Campground in Starke and learned that his girlfriend, Amanda Wert, had paid their neighbor, James Mort, a registered sexual predator, to destroy a computer that allegedly contained child pornography, as well as other criminal evidence.

Deputies said Mort also admitted to committing illegal sexual acts with Rush and Wert.

The additional felony counts were filed against Rush, who is being held without bond in the Bradford County jail.

Mort is charged with four counts of sexual battery on persons younger than 18, tampering with evidence involving a felony proceeding and sexual battery involving multiple perpetrators. Mort is also being held without bond.

Amanda Wert was arrested on charges of inducing a child younger than 18 to engage in a sexual performance, child neglect and tampering with evidence involving a felony proceeding. She was ordered held on $500,000 bond.