Crime & Safety

Nazareth Woman Charged for Texting 'Jerk'

Kimberly Bush of S. Whitfield Street told police she had consumed four Xanax and three alcoholic beverages when the text message was sent.

By text messaging the word “jerk” to David Gosnell Sr. of the 700 block of Heckman Avenue, a Nazareth woman is facing charges for the second time in less than a week, according to police.

According to a criminal complaint:

Kimberly Bush, 45, of S. Whitfield Street entered Gosnell’s home on June 4 without permission, damaged a window screen and took two rented DVDs. 

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Gosnell provided Nazareth police with a photo of the damaged screen, and an arrest warrant was issued for Bush.

On Thursday, July 7, Bush was charged with two counts of criminal trespassing -- one of which is a felony count -- and criminal mischief.

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She was arraigned before . Bail was set at $2,500, which Bush posted.

Following the incident, Bush was told to not have any contact with Gosnell, according to police; however, she allegedly text messaged the word “jerk” to the Nazareth man on Saturday, July 9 at about 2:30 a.m., according to a second criminal complaint.

Gosnell showed police a copy of the text message and “stated that he was worried and alarmed by the text,” adding that “his dog was barking most of the night and he feels the offender was by his home, stalking him,” the complaint reads.

When police interviewed Bush, she said she was at a bar and had consumed four Xanax and three alcoholic beverages when the text message was sent to Gosnell’s phone.

According to police, Bush admitted that the text message was sent from her phone, but that she was “out of it” and does not remember sending the message.

Bush was charged with harassment and disorderly conduct. She was arraigned before Capobianco on Monday and again released on $2,500 bail.


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