Nurse Flashed Nude Photo Of Himself To 4 Kids On Santa Monica Pier: Police

SANTA MONICA, CA — A 46-year-old nurse was arrested late last month after police say he showed four children a nude photo of himself while they were on the Santa Monica Pier. Now, authorities are searching for more people who may have been victims of similar incidents.

Benjamin Bush, of Rosamond, was arrested Oct. 29 on charges of child annoyance and distributing harmful matter to a minor. The Kern County resident works as a registered nurse at the supermax state prison in Tehachapi, Santa Monica police Lt. Erika R. Aklufi told Patch.

Bush was seen showing a nude photo of himself to an unidentified child inside the arcade on the pier on Sept. 18. At around 7 p.m. that day, he showed the same photo to three 9-year-olds outside Pacific Park, according to police.

Detectives launched an investigation, identified Bush as the suspect and arrested him about a month later. He was released from custody the morning after his arrest, jail records show.

Bush has no prior criminal history, police said.

Police say Bush may have committed other similar incidents and are asking for possible victims to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Baker at sean.baker@santamonica.gov, Detective Sgt. Haro at david.haro@santamonica.gov, or the SMPD watch commander at 310-458-8427.