WINDERMERE, Fla.,None — Suspended Windermere Police Chief Daniel Saylor appeared before a judge Thursday morning and was granted bond set at $5,150, with restrictions. He was released from the Orange County jail hours later (raw video | images).
Saylor was arrested Wednesday on two felony charges for allegedly covering up the reported sexual battery of a girl under the age of 12. He is charged with bribing one of his officers to drop the investigation involving Saylor's friend, Scott Bush of Windermere.
MORE VICTIMS? Details On Chief's Arrested Friend OUSTED CHIEF RELEASED: Raw Video | See Images SAYLOR'S ATTORNEY: NeJame Talks To WFTV INTERIM CHIEF: Ralph Groover Talks To WFTV COURT APPEARANCES: Daniel Saylor | Scott Bush DOCUMENT: Court Order Granting Bail ARREST AFFIDAVITS: Daniel Saylor | Scott Bush
As a condition of the bond, the judge ordered that Saylor have no contact with Bush or any member of the Windermere Police Department. The judge ordered that, in addition to no contact with witnesses, he cannot possess a firearm and must turn them in.
Suspect Daniel Saylor full mug NOT BLURB 011211 Daniel Saylor Daniel Saylor Saylor's attorney, Mark NeJame, tried to fight both of the conditions of bond unsuccessfully, making claims that Saylor needs to protect himself and that he needs to talk to officers at the police department who support him.
"Some people say one thing, and then by the time you ferret out the facts, who said it, what was said, and the context," NeJame said Thursday.
"What if it's on tape?" WFTV reporter Kathi Belich asked NeJame.
"If it's on tape, we'll deal with it. We're ready to rock and roll with this. We know a lot," NeJame replied.
Suspect Scott Frederick Bush MUG 011211 Scott Bush Scott Frederick Bush The investigation into Saylor began in July 2010 after the state received information that he terminated an investigation of a sexual battery of a child to keep a friend from going to jail. The State Attorney's Office said they worked with the Department of Children and Families and the Orange County Sheriff's Office to confirm the allegation.
Windermere leaders relieved Saylor of duty without pay. The town of Windermere is fully cooperating, State Attorney Lawson Lamar said, and early Wednesday evening Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings announced the town is naming sheriff's office Captain Ralph Groover as interim police chief (watch interview with Groover).
"They're only allegations. We'll get into that. Y'all have seen enough cases over your careers and mine, when an investigation starts here and it completely dissipates. We fully anticipate that will happen, but the facts will come out over time," NeJame told WFTV Thursday.
Thursday in court, prosecutors say Saylor talked of suicide. He was under psychiatric observation at the jail, but he and his lawyers denied in court that he is suicidal.
In addition to the arrest of Saylor, investigators also arrested Scott Bush, 50, and charged him with sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age, a capital felony and lewd and lascivious acts upon a minor, a third-degree felony.
Bush, who also appeared before a judge Thursday morning, was denied bond.
"In regards to council, I do not have an affidavit from the public defender's office. Is it your intent to hire private council?" the judge asked Bush Thursday morning.
"I haven't had an opportunity to speak with my mother, but I believe it is," he said.
As a result, the judge said if he did not have an attorney by next Tuesday, Bush will have the opportunity to ask for a public defender. He could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Previous Stories: January 13, 2011: Officials: Police Chief Tried To Cover Up Sex Battery On Child
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