An Orange County jury found Stephen Bodley, 26, guilty of sexual battery on a child after he openly admitted to it during a job interview for the Apopka Police Department, according to a Friday, May 10, news release from the office of State Attorney Andrew Bain.
On June 16, 2021, Bodley was conducting a job interview at the Apopka Police Department for a position that he applied for as a sworn police officer. The certified voice stress analysis examiner performed a voice stress examination on Bodley.
During the examination, the examiner asked Bodley to expand on concerning answers he provided in a pre-test questionnaire. In it, Bodley described sexually abusing a child several years ago. He admitted the same when the examiner asked him to explain further.
The Apopka Police Department initiated a criminal investigation after Bodley’s disclosure. Detectives obtained further details from Bodley regarding the victim’s identity. Police arranged a meeting with the victim and the victim’s mother at the police department where detectives informed them of Bodley’s admissions.
Detectives called Bodley back to the police department and arrested him. The defendant testified during the trial and denied sexually abusing the victim despite previously admitting to committing the crime on three separate occasions.
On May 8, a jury found Bodley guilty of sexual battery on a child less than 12 by a person less than 18 after a three-day trial. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation to determine an appropriate sentence. Bodley is set to be sentenced on June 24.
The Apopka Chief and The Planter are weekly community newspapers, independently owned and family operated, that have served the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923 and 1965 respectively.
Follow The Apopka Chief on Facebook.
Follow The Apopka Chief on Twitter.
Follow The Apopka Chief on Instagram.
