Former Spring Hill Police Officer Indicted For Federal Civil Rights Violation

Former Spring Hill Police Officer Christopher Patrick Odom, 27, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury and charged with a criminal civil rights violation for engaging in unwanted sexual contact while on duty as a police officer, announced Jack Smith, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

“Every police officer takes an oath to uphold the Constitution and when they circumvent this oath by violating the civil rights of individuals, which they are sworn to protect, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold them accountable”, said Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith.” “We will always strive to protect the honor and integrity of the many fine men and women of law enforcement who honor their oath and serve and protect our communities every day.”

According to the indictment, on June 25, 2016, while acting under color of law, Odom engaged in unwanted sexual contact with a victim by placing her hand on his penis, in violation of her constitutional right to be free from unwanted sexual contact by a person acting under color of law.

Odom was arrested yesterday afternoon by agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and will make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate later today.

If convicted, Odom faces up to 12 months in prison and a $100,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and in consultation with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Henry Leventis and Sara Beth Myers are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.