On Tuesday, Waterford Police Detective Ruezga conducted follow-up in a juvenile molestation case.

In February, a suspicious incident was reported to the sheriff’s office after a man had seen a vehicle parked in his orchard. When the man went to investigate, he observed David Odom, 38, of Merced, and a girl sitting in the vehicle. The witness didn’t observe anything occurring but confronted Odom and told him to leave his property.

Ruezga, who recently became a detective assigned to Waterford Police Services, began conducting follow-up in the case and located a prior incident that was reported in 2013 where Odom was reported to be engaging in a relationship with a 16-year-old girl. At the time, the suspected victim provided limited information and the case was closed due to a lack of evidence.

After recontacting the victim, who is now an adult, she disclosed to Ruezga that she did have a sexual relationship with Odom in 2013 and that he was aware she was a minor at the time.

The investigation also revealed that Odom held several volunteer positions within the community over the years where he was in contact with minors including at Hughson High School, Waterford High School, and Community Bible Church in Waterford. He held each of these positions for about a year.

During his stint at Hughson High, Odom was fired from his position in 2023 after staff observed him holding hands with a former student. Witnesses told investigators that Odom had inappropriate relationships with students while he was working as a volunteer track coach there.

Both high schools and the church are cooperating with detectives.

Odom also previously lived in the 3700 block of Crowell Road here in Turlock and served as the general manager of the Denair Community Services District.

Odom was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of oral copulation with a minor and sexual penetration with a minor.