A Turlock band teacher has been arrested by the Turlock Police Department on allegations he sexually assaulted a student.
Daniel James Baudino, 38, of Turlock was taken into custody on Monday and booked into Stanislaus County Jail on five counts of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and four counts of oral copulation with a minor.
At the time of the alleged sexual assault, Baudino was the band teacher at Turlock High School. He was working as the band teacher at Turlock Junior High School and at Dennis Earl Elementary until Monday when he was arrested. As standard protocol, he was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday by Turlock Unified School District.
The confidential victim, who was a juvenile at the time these crimes occurred, contacted the Turlock Police Department on Oct. 28, and reported the allegations against Baudino. The police department said the alleged sex crimes occurred between June 2016 to August 2016.
"Upon learning of these allegations, Turlock Police detectives immediately began an investigation and quickly obtained a search warrant," said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Parmley. "Evidence of these allegations was discovered as a result of their work. Detectives learned there is a 15-year age gap between Baudino and the confidential victim."
"Yesterday the Turlock Police Department informed us of an allegation of inappropriate conduct toward a former student by one of our TUSD staff members who is currently assigned to Turlock Junior High School and Dennis Earl Elementary School," said TUSD spokesperson Marie Russell. "The staff member was arrested without incident after school on Monday and placed on paid administrative leave. Today TPD released a statement with details of the arrest. The information contained in the press release is deeply concerning. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation as our greatest concern at this time is for the affected student and any others who may have been impacted."
Detectives believe there are possibly other victims of Baudino who have not yet come forward.
Baudino was taken into custody after class at Turlock Junior High School. He was questioned at the Turlock Police Department before being booked into Stanislaus County Jail.
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this on-going investigation to call Detective Timothy Redd at (209) 664-7325. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
