Brian S. O’Dell, a 35-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s Pine Grove neighborhood, was arrested on five counts of unlawful sexual activity with a 16-year-old neighbor following revelations of a relationship that had stretched over a year and dating back to when the girl was 15.
The victim was a friend of O’Dell’s daughter, younger by several years, and would often spend time at his house–and nights, when O’Dell’s daughter visited, according to O’Dell’s arrest report.
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives received “a report of suspicious and potentially sexual activity involving” O’Dell and the girl, who lives with her grandmother. Both had known O’Dell for more than a half dozen years. O’Dell would bring the girl to and from her bus stop for the past three to four years. The grandmother told investigators that although she had not observed suspicious activity by her granddaughter or O’Dell, she felt her granddaughter spent “an inordinate amount of time” with him, and found that to be strange.
She agreed to let detectives look in her granddaughter’s cell phone. Once a detective did so, he noticed “several messages made via social media apps between [the girl] and [O’Dell] that were sexual in nature.” The girl was asked about the nature of her relationship with O’Dell. She was initially reluctant, but then “admitted she and [O’Dell] had engaged in sexual intercourse on more than two occasions.” The relationship unfolded at his home for about a year, and it did so during weeks when O’Dell’s daughter was not visiting. (O’Dell has shared custody of his daughter.)
The girl told a detective she had ended the relationship, and that when it was still active, O’Dell “did not force her to engage in sexual activity against her will.” The distinction and the girl’s age result in charges lesser than rape, but the charges are still second-degree felonies that exposes an offender to up to 15 years in prison for each count if convicted, along with a potential designation as a sexual offender.
The girl agreed to be part of a “controlled phone call,” speaking to O’Dell as detectives recorded the conversation. She told O’Dell that law enforcement had become aware of their relationship. O’Dell “is heard stating something to the effect of, ‘Oh God,'” his arrest report states. She apologizes to him for admitting the relationship to cops, to which he replies that it’s not her fault as he was the adult. When she asks him what either of them are going to do, he tells her he’s going to prison.
The call seemingly contrasted with several recent, similar controlled calls involving adult men in the county who soon faced similar accusations of engaging in sex with minors, when men typically blame the victim or begin to seek ways of extirpating themselves from repercussions. When a detective met with O’Dell and read him his Miranda rights O’Dell reportedly confessed, providing the dates of when he and the girl started engaging in sex (he placed the starting date last April)–and that he was aware of the girl’s age.
When a detective asked him if he wanted to write a letter of apology, he did so. The letter was entered into evidence.
He was charged with five counts of unlawful sexual activity with minors and booked at the Flagler County jail on $125,000 bond Friday evening. By noon Saturday, he had posted bail and was released. In such circumstances a judge typically imposes a no-contact order on a defendant, regarding his alleged victim or other minors. It wasn’t initially clear–the terms of his release are not yet accessible–what the conditions of his release are, given his home’s proximity to that of the alleged victim’s.
On Oct. 6, Judge Chris France signed a no-contact order ordering O’Dell not to be within 500 feet of the alleged victim’s home and school and have no contact with her in any way. He was also required to immediately surrender all firearms to the sheriff’s office. His arraignment was set before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins on Nov. 26.
Sheriff Rick Staly was quoted as saying in an agency release that the arrest is an example of “see something, say something.” “If something seems suspicious or just doesn’t look right to you it probably isn’t and you should say something,” he said.
Jon Hardison says
Wait, this is a crime?
I just watched a Supreme Court nomination that led me to believe otherwise.
At least this one was concentual. Maybe we should sentence him to four years of being Governor.
RobJr says
@Jon Hardison
Heck. All he had to do was start sniveling, crying, yelling and say it was a consirpacy out to get him.
Then blame the clintons.
He’d be home right now drinking some suds.
Ali says
It shouldn’t matter that she said it was consensual. He was clearly grooming her for years. Who lets a middle aged man befriend their young daughters for years. Take these kids away.
Jeffrey says
So, he thought he was SLICK in doing this to a child that, according to the laws, is NOT old enough to GIVE CONSENT! Let him rot and charge him with rape!! She was too young to know better and he was a manipulator! He will be SLICK no more! To the dungeon with you monster!!!
jake says
@jon hardison, really, you’re comparing allegations made by a mentally unstable woman with no facts or proof that the event even occurred, to child molestation.
@Robjr, and you think it’s a joke.
Nothing is surprising about Palm Coast anymore.
Really says
Age of consent 18. Grandma busts you. Must have been obvious. Then cell conversations with evidence. SMH 16 gets ya 20
Steve Shriner says
Jon H. As you know there was no proof that Kavannaugh did anything wrong. You have to have proof or evidence of some kind. PS. It is spelled consensual.
Bill Clinton says
35 is middle aged?
Thosnthat says
This girl had proof of an ongoing crime and it was reported to police. A bit different than something that may or may not have happened 35 years ago with ZERO evidence and witnesses denying it happened.
John Rolfe says
@Ali What? Did you forget that’s what America was built on? 14 and 15 year old’s having 10-15 farm raised kids by some man probably 10 to 15 years older!
palmcoaster says
With KAVANO now in the SCOTUS and O’donnell looks, he will go free!
palmcoaster says
Meant O’Dell not O’Donnell.
woody says
This is normal behavior,just watch teen mom.
Pat says
So, local liberals want to make this poor girls situation political. Can’t say I’m the least bit surprised. Prayers to the young girl and prayers that justice is served.
Marsha Doran says
My granddaughter just saw this at her friend’s house and showed it to me. She said to tell you all, “that’s my daddy and you don’t know the whole story”. She also said, “My teenage friend came to us to pretend to be my friend to get close to my daddy and I am very upset about everything”. As the Mother in law, I would appreciate prayers for all. This is a very emotional time for all of us. My granddaughter has seen and heard enough. It’s all over the media as it is.
Bill says
Looks like there wont lots of money on a long trial.
Next LOOK at how our political left uses this to vilify Kavanaugh again. Why is it because they are just so vile to do such and or is it because they have NO clue of what was really going on with that BS. It was a allegation ONLY with NO corroborating evidence found even by those who Ford said where there. They ALL said they knew NOTHING of the said incident and or the party she said it happened at. Next this so called indecent that has NO proof of ever cheapening was said to be between to TEENS NOT a TEEN and a 35 year old.
31 States says
Yes, in Florida, the “age of consent” is 18 with only a little bit of flexibility if the other party is under 24, but in 31 states the age of consent is 16. In more than half the US, this would be be legal (but possibly still wrong).
Here, his life is pretty much ruined and several loved ones are hurt. In more than half the country he’d be fine.
Mary Fusco says
This story has a lot of inconsistencies. First of all, what 16 YO befriends a 9 YO to the point of sleeping at their home? The grandmother was aware that this young lady was spending an inordinate amount of time at this man’s home, yet did nothing to stop it. He supposedly walked her home from the bus stop for the past several years. WHY? I have 5 teen grandchildren and couldn’t imagine one of them putting their phone down long enough for anyone to read texts and show them to a deputy. Seems like someone got pissed off here. This man knew what he was doing was wrong. The girl knew exactly what she was doing. The only victim that I can see is the daughter of this man. Very sad for her.
Optimist prime says
A young girl is molested by a pervert, and all the comment are is a bunch of sniveling fringie righties selling their sanctimonious positions on Kavanaughs “innocence”. Get your heads out of the politics for a day and act like humans again. Whole worlds gone mad.
Capt obvious says
Marsha, I’m very sorry that your granddaughter is being exposed to all of this because of her pedophile father, but regardless of who initiated the relationship, a 35 year old man should know better. He is a pervert, and I hope he gets what he deserves. His actions are indefensible.
Michael says
This seems like it’s been going on for a long time someone had to have a clue about this and where was the mother at
Shannan says
I find it disturbing that his 9 year old daughter is completely aware of the situation. I know 9 year olds can read but I find it hard to believe that she is picking up the newspaper to keep up with current events. I do sympathize that this must be a difficult situation for all family members involved but no matter what the teenage girls motives were this man is an adult 20 years her senior. This is a man that has known and ‘cared’ for this child since she was 9 or 10. I think anyone sympathizing with the predator should put themselves in the victims and her families shoes. What if this was your daughter or granddaughter?
just me says
@ Optimist prime says:
October 8, 2018 at 1:23 pm
A young girl is molested by a pervert, and all the comment are is a bunch of sniveling fringie righties selling their sanctimonious positions on Kavanaughs “innocence”. Get your heads out of the politics for a day and act like humans again. Whole worlds gone mad.
If one Actually read the comments they would see it was those on the LEFT who brought up kavanaugh. Some on the right did make comments back saying a 35 year old going after a 15year old is COMPLETELY different then a accusation of a 17 year old and a 15 year old.