Russell Otis
Posted by Webmaster in California, Coaches, Hall of Shame, High Schools, ME-MV
(03/17/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Russell Otis, 46, boys’ basketball coach and athletic director at Dominguez High School in Compton, California has been charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney with two criminal counts related to alleged unwanted sexual advances on a 16-year-old boy.

Otis is charged with one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purpose and a misdemeanor count of child molestation.
Both charges reportedly involve the alleged use of text messages of a sexual nature to the boy on August 30, 2008.
Reportedly Otis has been on paid administrative leave since September, when the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation into the alleged crimes.
Otis was arrested and booked at the Carson’s Sheriff’s station on March 7 and was subsequently released on $75,000 bond.
Reports indicate that Otis was charged and acquitted in 2001 on charges of sodomy and oral copulation with a minor.
03/19/09 – More Charges
Russell Otis was charged with four more felony counts Wednesday.
The new counts allege that Otis misappropriated a $15,000 check from Nike to the Compton Unified School District, depositing the money into his personal bank account in November 2007.
Two charges of commercial burglary and one each of grand theft and forgery have been added to existing felony complaints against Otis.
06/29/09 – Russell Otis Ordered To Trial
On Friday, Russell Otis appeared for a preliminary hearing and was ordered to stand trial on charges that he attempted to molest one of his players and embezzled $15,000 intended for his team.
Otis is scheduled for arraignment on July 6th.
10/05/09 – Split Verdict
The jury has found Russell Otis guilty of misdemeanor child molestation.
The jury found Otis not guilty on felony theft and forgery charges.
Reportedly, the misdemeanor charge requires Otis to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and could spell the end of any coaching or teaching career.
Otis’ attorney says he will appeal the misdemeanor conviction.
Otis was permitted to remain on bail until sentencing despite the prosecution’s objections.


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