Published on June 3, 2024, 12:56 am

Image source: Fox News

Breaking news reveals that officials from the Community Bible Church in Waterford, California, are actively assisting investigations led by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office in Modesto involving David Odom. This former youth group volunteer was apprehended on Tuesday on an array of felony charges connected to alleged sexual involvement with a minor.

According to a statement released by the Sherrif’s Office, probing into the actions of Odom, 38 years old, initiated in February after a bystander spotted him in an unusual vehicle stationed in his orchard along with a young-looking female. Despite not observing any misconduct by Odom with the girl directly, the witness confronted him and asked him to vacate his property. Subsequently, he reported this encounter to law enforcement officers and Detective Alex Ruezga from Waterford Police Services picked up the case.

As part of his investigation into Odom’s activities, Ruezga discovered an earlier case dating back to 2013 where Odom was accused of being involved in a relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Lack of sufficient evidence provided by the suspected victim at the time led to case closure.

Detective Ruezga decided to revisit this closed case and reached out to the suspected victim once more who is now an adult. Upon confrontation, she disclosed having been sexually involved with Odom while she was underaged back in 2013 and confirmed that Odom was aware of her minor status at that time.

Inquiries also revealed that over numerous years leading up until now, Odom volunteered multiple roles involving interactions with minors. Notably, he was associated as an assistant coach at Waterford High School for one year in 2009 and served as a youth group volunteer at Community Bible Church during 2012 for the period of a year.

From 2021 through 2023, Odom allegedly filled position as volunteer track coach at Hughson High School before being dismissed due to concerns raised when staff noticed him holding hands with a former student. Investigators were informed by witnesses that Mr. Odom exhibited inappropriate relationships with female students during his track coach term at Hughson High School.

Odom now faces charges including oral copulation with a minor and sexual penetration of a minor based on the allegations brought forward by the victim claiming involvement in 2013. He was taken into custody in Stanislaus County Public Safety Center Jail but was subsequently released after posting bail amounting to $125,000.

The trusted news from Brenda Smith, Superintendent of Hughson Unified School District, confirms their knowledge of David Odom’s arrest, highlighting his track coach service from 2021 until his dismissal in 2023. Staff observed him interacting inappropriately with an 18-year-old former student leading to his termination.

Smith also mentioned that while the current allegations link back to Waterford about supposed wrongful antics with an underage girl there in 2013, further testimonials gathered suggest possible inappropriate contact between Odom and one or more female students at Hughson as well. She affirmed their continued cooperation in assisting ongoing investigations.

The police department welcomes any additional information regarding this investigation and have provided Detective Ruezga’s contact details for potential informants looking out for real news through a Christian worldview lens. Not only does this case shed light on community safety concerns but encourages guardians to exercise vigilance regarding those who interact intimately with their children.