Del Mar Union school board member arrested in Florida during human trafficking operation

Del Mar School Board member Scott Wooden.

He was reportedly in the area to assist his parents, the sheriff said, when he “decided he would come up here and engage in sex.” Wooden is suspected of soliciting sex for $200 dollars.

The Del Mar board member was arrested on Feb. 11 and released on Feb. 13 after paying his $500 bail, Florida jail records show. Wooden did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Wooden was elected to the Del Mar Union School District board in 2010 and was re-elected in November. While campaigning, Wooden told the Del Mar Times in October that he had been married for 23 years and that he had two children. He's lived in San Diego for two decades.

He told the paper that when he was first elected, his goal was to bring stability after several years of turmoil by “providing mutual respect, trust and leadership principles that put all children first every time.”

Judd said Wooden has a doctorate from the University of Southern California and was once a molecular biologist but has since retired. An election biography from 2014 said Wooden spent 20 years in the science and biotechnology industry and that he used to run a massage business in Carlsbad.

“This guy knows better,” Judd said. “He's supposed to be a leader in the community. He's an elected official. He's making decisions for our children, and he's out soliciting prostitutes.”

The district released a statement on Thursday, Feb. 16:

“While we do not yet know all the details and circumstances of this incident, the allegations are shocking and extremely concerning.

The district is continuing to learn more about this incident as information becomes available, and the board is exploring options for any related action with its attorneys. On behalf of the entire board, you have our commitment that our superintendent and all staff will continue to focus on our important work each day in support of the students of the Del Mar Union School District.”

The district released another statement around 4:39 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, saying that Wooden has resigned from the board:

“We want to inform you that the Del Mar Union School District received notification that Scott Wooden has resigned from the District's Governing Board of Trustees effective immediately.

“The Board is currently exploring options to fill the vacancy. We will keep the community informed as the District moves through this process.”