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Modesto Police Officer Arrested On Molestation Charges

OAKDALE (CBS13) - An officer with the Modesto Police Department has landed on the wrong side of the law.

Robert Hodges, 40, was arrested Monday at his Oakdale home on felony sexual molestation charges. Police say Hodges molested a family member who's under the age of 18 between 2009 and 2010.

Hodges is a 15-year veteran of the department, Before his arrest, he was a supervisor of patrols on the streets.

"It's a stark reminder that no one, no matter their occupation, position, authority, is above or immune from the law," police spokesman Lt. Rick Armendariz said.

Investigators say the crimes happened off duty between 2009 and 2010 and didn't have a connection to the police department.

CBS13 went to Hodges' last listed address Tuesday, but neighbors say he recently lost his house to foreclosure. They can't believe the charges the long-time officer is facing.

"It can't be true," neighbor Garland Mar said. "I don't believe it. I just don't believe it. He's a good father, he plays basketball with his son. Whenever we went out he would say hi to us. Any neighbor would feel safer having a police officer as a neighbor. Personally, I hated to see a neighbor like that go."

Neighbors tell CBS13 Hodges has a teenage son and daughter of his own.

Meanwhile, police won't release any more information about the alleged incidents.

"It's definitely disheartening at the bare least and shocking that someone from our organization would be facing these severe type of allegations, but rest assured, again, this does not reflect the dedication and commitment of the men and women of this organization," Armendariz said.

The case now being handled by the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office and Hodges has been placed on administrative leave.

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