A Pinole youth golf coach has found himself in the rough after being charged with serious child pornography-related offenses. Jeffrey Tadashi Oda, 33, has been a familiar face at Pinole Valley High School and the Richmond Golf Course, mentoring young sports enthusiasts. However, the nature of his alleged extracurricular activities is far from the wholesome image one would expect of someone in his position. According to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Oda faces a two-count felony complaint for his purported possession of illicit material.
On August 27, the home of the accused was besieged by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which conducted a search that yielded numerous devices. It was his Apple iPhone that reportedly contained the disturbing content. Oda's charges include possession of child or youth pornography as per PC 311.11(a) and possession of over 600 images of said pornography outlined in PC 311.11(c)(1). The developments in this case are concerning, especially considering Oda's proximity to youngsters through his coaching duties.
Oda made his presence known in the courts last Thursday, pleading not guilty to the charges against him. The golf coach managed to tee up a bail amounting to $100,000, though the gravity of the situation has not diminished. His next appearance, for the observers keeping score, is set for October 23 before the Honorable Christopher Bowen in Martinez. As the case unravels, the District Attorney's Office is broadening its scope for potentially more offenses and urges the public to provide any relevant information.
