Molester free after conviction

Web posted February 14, 1998

By S.B. Crawford
Columbia County Bureau

Despite a prosecutor's objections, an Augusta man was freed on bond after being convicted of child molestation and statutory rape by a Columbia County jury this week.

Instead of being jailed after his court conviction Thursday, Bobby Melvin Odom, 39, of the 3100 block of River Oak Drive, was free to return home on the same $40,000 bond granted him when he was first indicted in April 1995.

Over the objection of Assistant District Attorney Patricia Johnson, Superior Court Judge Franklin H. Pierce allowed Mr. Odom to remain free until his sentencing hearing, which is yet to be set.

Mr. Odom was convicted of having repeated sexual relations with the same 6-year-old girl in 1993 and 1994.

District Attorney Danny Craig said he has never known a case in which anyone was released on bond after a conviction on such serious charges.

``It's extremely unusual if not unique,'' he said. ``We find child molesters are some of the most dangerous people we deal with and present the greatest danger to the community and the greatest risk of committing additional felonies.''

But Judge Pierce said since Mr. Odom has been free since the charge were first filed against him four years ago, he didn't consider him a risk.

``This case was 4 years old,'' he said. ``This man was married again and he had a family, and he had some things to clear up and clean up before he comes back before me for sentencing. I wouldn't have let him go if I would have thought he was a danger to anybody else.''

However, allegations of child molestation have dogged Mr. Odom for years prior to this weeks case, said Mr. Craig.

``There were three different victims who testified against him, including the one for which he was convicted,'' he said. ``I have never seen a child molester who was rehabilitated, even in the slightest way.''

Mr. Odom is expected to be sentenced for his crimes within two weeks, Mr. Craig said. He could receive up to 20 years for each count, he said.

``I just simply thought it was the right thing to do,'' Judge Pierce said.