Former Hughson, Waterford high school coach arrested on suspicion of sex acts with minor
A former coach for Waterford and Hughson high schools was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of having sex with a minor, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office announced.
David Odom, 38, was arrested after a witness reported in February seeing a suspicious vehicle in which Odom and a girl who “looked young” were sitting, which prompted an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, according to a release.
During their investigation, a detective from the Waterford Police Services found that Odom allegedly had a relationship with a 16-year-old girl in 2013. The girl told the detective her relationship with Odom was sexual and that he knew she was underage.
That case was closed due to a lack of evidence, the release stated. However, Detective Alexander Ruezga’s investigation found that Odom held several positions over the past decade that put him in close contact with minors.
In 2009, Odom was an assistant coach at Waterford High School. In 2012, he was a youth group volunteer at Community Bible Church in Waterford. And from 2021 to 2023, he was a volunteer track coach at Hughson High School.
Odom was fired from Hughson High after staff saw him holding hands with a former student, according to the Sheriff’s Office release. Investigators were told Odom had “inappropriate relationships with female students while he was working as a volunteer track coach at Hughson High School.”
Both high schools and the church are cooperating with sheriff’s detectives during their investigation, according to the release.
Odom was arrested on suspicion of oral copulation with a minor and sexual penetration of a minor. He was held at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center Jail until he posted his $125,000 bail.
Investigators are attempting to identify additional victims. Those with information can call 209-652-0724, email Ruezga at aruezga@stansheriff.com, leave a tip with Stanislaus County Area Crime Stoppers through stancrimetipc.org, or call 1-866-60-CRIME.
This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 12:58 PM.
