Crime & Safety
Mendocino College Professor Accused Of Sexually Abusing Child
The defendant faces charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography.
UKIAH, CA — A Mendocino College professor had his first day in court this week in a child sex abuse case where authorities charged him with six felonies and allege that the abuse began when the girl was 13 years old.
Jason Davis, a 54-year-old Ukiah resident and an English professor who has recently been placed on administrative leave at Mendocino College, was arrested last week by the Ukiah Police Department and pleaded not guilty to all charges when he was arraigned Monday.
The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office has charged Davis with six felony counts, including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography. He was booked into Mendocino County Jail on Nov. 20 and remains in custody there on $1 million bail.
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The Mendocino Voice reached out to Davis' attorney, Eric Rennert, for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Davis is scheduled on Dec. 8 for a preliminary hearing in Mendocino County Superior Court in Ukiah, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. His case is also due in court next week for a bail review hearing.
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Judge Keith Faulder will preside over the preliminary hearing, and according to Mendocino County District Attorney David Eyster, Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner will serve as the prosecutor in the case.
The arrest of Davis came after the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office in September referred an investigation to Ukiah police about a possible sexual relationship between a Mendocino College professor and an underage student. Davis is also the subject of a civil lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court involving two former students there accusing him of sexual abuse.
According to Ukiah police, detectives obtained a search warrant for Davis' home and found evidence he was allegedly in a sexual and romantic relationship and cohabitating with a former student who is 15. Detectives said they found photos and videos on his devices showing that the relationship began when the girl was 13.
Mendocino College in a statement following Davis' arrest said he was placed on administrative leave when the initial allegations surfaced. The college said it is cooperating with investigators as the case proceeds.
The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Mendocino County Superior Court and will be open to the public, but the judge could limit access during testimony.
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