PHOTO: Jerry Donald Busch
A 63-year-old Jonesboro man accused of having sex with a 15-year-old female has died.
Jerry Donald Busch was due to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday. As Busch’s name was called, Prosecutor David Ethredge told the court he had been informed by a law enforcement agency in another county earlier in the day that Busch had been found dead.
Ethredge said from the report he had gotten, Busch died of natural causes. Busch’s attorney, Randel Miller of Jonesboro, had come to Mountain Home to stand in with his client for his appearance Thursday.
The attorney confirmed the information Ethredge had received.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Busch was a close friend and member of the minor female’s extended family.
The incident was reported to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office Aug. 8 last year by the girl’s mother.
The rape is alleged to have happened during a trip to Lake Norfork. Because of the relationship between the teen, her family and Busch, she had been allowed to accompany him on the drive from Jonesboro to the lake on July 1, and to spend the night in a camper in the Gamaliel area.
Investigators reported other members of the family group were scheduled to arrive the next day.
The girl said after arriving at the lake, she accompanied Busch on a ride on his pontoon boat. She said both of them consumed alcohol while out on the lake. They arrived back at the camper about 6 p.m. The girl indicated she was not feeling well and went to sleep.
She alleged she was awakened by Busch having inappropriate sexual contact with her.
After the incident, Busch and the teen went out to eat and she said the older man apologized for taking advantage of her.
The victim’s father told investigators he had confronted Busch at some unspecified time about the situation and reported Busch admitted he had “messed up.” He told the girl’s parent, “I apologize to you and her and I can’t undo what I’ve done.”
Busch is also alleged to have told investigators he had been so intoxicated, he did not clearly recall what happened after he arrived back at the camper with the girl following the boat ride.
Busch turned himself in to the Baxter County Sheriff’s office Sept. 30 last year. He was freed on $75,000 bond.
He was charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a minor.
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