CD Implicates Ohio Man In Palm Springs Child Sex Abuse

A man once hailed as a hero in the Coachella Valley sat in a jail cell waiting to face child pornography charges on Thursday.

Police in New Philadelphia, Ohio, said a CD showing a child being sexually abused in Palm Springs about six years ago has led to the arrest of Jeffery Roderick, 42.

He was being held under $1 million bond on a charge of pandering sexual material involving a minor in his hometown of Canton, Ohio.

Police said a toddler found the CD lodged under a drawer in his home, and his mother turned it over to police.

It showed Roderick sexually abusing the previous resident’s 1- or 2-year-old granddaughter, according to New Philadelphia police Capt. Michael Goodwin.

Roderick had been good friends with the woman, Goodwin said. She had let him live at her Palm Springs and New Philadelphia homes.

The events on the CD appeared to have happened in 2004, when Roderick was babysitting the child. Roderick confessed after police told him the CD, containing photos and video clips, had been found. A recording of his confession was played at his preliminary court hearing.

Roderick and four others were honored as heroes in 2001 after they successfully chased down a man who was molesting a young girl in Civic Center Park in Palm Desert. Roderick and another man used their rollerblades to catch up with the man who was riding a bicycle.

Palm Desert’s Mayor Jim Ferguson hailed their actions, presenting them with a commemorative bowl and restaurant gift certificates in a show of appreciation.

Ten years later, the Palm Springs Police Department confirmed they are working with New Philadelphia police investigators on possible molestation charges against Roderick, since the alleged crime happened in the desert. Goodwin said the FBI was also investigating, and Roderick was expected to be extradited to California to face additional charges.