Odom school rape suspect in custody

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police have arrested and charged John Therrin Baldwin, 51, in the sexual assault that happened Aug. 14 on the grounds of Odom Elementary.

A 56-year-old woman was walking at about 3:30 a.m. near Emerald Forrest Drive and Sarah Avenue when Baldwin allegedly grabbed her and pulled her onto school property through a hole in the chain link fence on the north side of the school to the spot where the sexual assault took place.

It was DNA evidence on file in the state's Combined DNA Index System for Baldwin that led police to identify him, based on forensic evidence obtained from the victim.

Baldwin was stopped for a traffic violation on Sunday and brought to the Austin Police Department Sex Crimes office where he voluntarily waived his rights to counsel and to remain silent.

According to the affidavit, Baldwin initially told police he had been at home asleep from 1:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the rape. However, after police presented the DNA evidence which placed him at the location of the assault, he admitted to police that he had sexual contact with the victim at the location.

Public records show Baldwin has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to 1986. He's spent time in state jail four different occasions with charges ranging from giving false identification, evading arrest, drug possession, drug dealing, attempted escape, fictitious inspection sticker, criminal trespass, check forging and indecent exposure.

The sexual assault would be the first of the kind on his criminal record if he is convicted of the second-degree felony.

His bond was set at $60,000 and he has to wear a GPS device while in jail. Baldwin was also ordered to not come within 200 feet of the 1000 block of Turtle Creek Boulevard.

The initial suspect description said the man was thought to be in his twenties, likely because of his muscular build.