Modesto man pleads not guilty in sex abuse case of 4 children

A 39-year-old Modesto man on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the claimed sexual abuse of four children.

Terry William Bush will remain in custody at the Stanislaus County jail in lieu of $1 million bail. Wilber Salgado, Bush’s defense attorney, initially asked the court to review his client’s bail amount this week, calling it excessive. The attorney rescinded the request Wednesday afternoon, telling the judge he no longer will be representing Bush.

Salgado last week informed the court that Bush would likely need a new attorney because his client’s charges had changed.

Bush first was arrested on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and was released on $50,000 bail. Investigators later discovered three others authorities say were victims and evidence that led to 13 felony counts of sexual abuse. Bush was arrested again and rebooked at the jail with increased bail.

Authorities say the abuse involved a 14-year-old girl, 10-year-old girl, 6-year-old boy and 20-day-old girl. Prosecutors say the abuse dates back to June 2005 with one of the children and continued with the others through last month, according to an amended criminal complaint filed Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge Ruben Villalobos on Wednesday appointed the county Public Defender’s Office to represent Bush and scheduled the defendant to return to court July 28 for a pretrial hearing.

Bush’s live-in girlfriend, Tiffany Dawn McGuire, also is accused of sexually abusing the 6-year-old boy and the infant girl listed in her boyfriend’s criminal charges. She is charged with two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child younger than 14, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Bush and McGuire, for now, are being prosecuted separately. Deputy District Attorney Jared Carrillo told the judge that prosecutors have not decided whether to consolidate the cases.

McGuire, 31, remains in custody at the jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. She is scheduled to return to court Friday for a pretrial hearing.

Prosecutors say some of the children lived with Bush. Investigators believe two of the victims are relatives of McGuire. Modesto police have said the investigation also revealed evidence of producing and distributing child pornography.

Bush’s charges include allegations of sexual molestation, oral copulation or sexual penetration, attempted sexual acts, lewd acts upon a child, sexual intercourse with a child 14 or 15 years old and child pornography possession. Prosecutors also say the defendant used the boy and the infant to model for images involving sexual conduct.

This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Modesto man pleads not guilty in sex abuse case of 4 children."