“My Husband Is Innocent,” Says Child Porn Suspect’s Wife

Linda O’Dea stands behind her husband of 11 years, who was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography.

“I still think my husband is innocent,” said O’Dea.

Benton County Sheriff’s deputies arrested George O’Dea at his home on East Drive in Rogers.

“I had no idea that anything was going on and so, it`s a shock and a disappointment,” said Linda O’Dea. “I just couldn’t believe what all was going on, and like I say, George is the most law-abiding citizen I know, and he’s innocent until proven guilty.”

She said they both have children from different marriages, but he treated her kids as his own.

He even played Santa during the holidays at the Frisco Station Mall in Rogers, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

“He loves kids and again, this is something that, I`m here to support my husband because I love my husband,” added O’Dea.

O’Dea said Benton County investigators took the couple’s computers from their home last week.

Investigators with the Benton County Cyber Crime unit said they discovered 500 images of child porn on the computers.

O’Dea said George played games on the computer.

“He played free cell on it all the time. I’m just not aware of anything else,” she said.

O’Dea said just a couple of months ago, a family friend moved in with them, and it wasn’t until later they found out he was a sex offender and kicked him out.

“Moved in here about two to three months ago. He`s not here anymore.  It was about four to six weeks before we found out he was a sex offender,” explained O’Dea.

She said her husband has lived in the area for 35 years, his children still residing in the area.

“He worked for Tyson Foods, as a safety manager for Tyson for 28 years,” O’Dea said.

Three years ago, he became a bus driver for the Springdale School District and ultimately convinced her to become a bus driver as well.

“He said I would enjoy it, like it and I really wasn’t sure about it,” she said. “I love it.”

O’Dea said her husband is caring, honest and would do anything to help someone out.

“He would give you the shirt off his back if he had to,” said O’Dea.

George O’Dea is currently being held at the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing Thursday.

O’Dea was suspended with pay from the Springdale School District last week.