Crawford County man admits to years of abuse against minor, will serve 10 years in prison
A Crawford County man has admitted to physically, mentally and verbally abusing a minor he had a relationship with, which local prosecutors described as “grooming” Tuesday.
On the morning his trial was set to begin, 42-year-old James Franklin Davis pleaded guilty to cruelty to children in the first degree, two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree and interference with government property, Howard said. As a result, he will serve 10 years in prison and 10 years on probation.
“It’s very common for abusers to target vulnerable victims like this child and lure them in with attention, kindness and gifts, only to abuse them as the relationship continues,” said Howard. “As Domestic Violence Month comes to an end this week, I want to congratulate this young woman for her courage to cooperate with prosecutors and to help us seek a measure of justice for her and her family.”
Senior Assistant District Attorney Neil Halvorson presented evidence to the court showing how Davis began a relationship with a 16-year-old girl starting in January 2020. He would cause “significant, visible injuries, including bruising and swelling,” and would groom her through the years to comply with his demands, Howard said.
The relationship was ongoing until July 2023, when law enforcement saw that Davis had hit the victim in front of two children. Davis was arrested and, while in jail, he refused to comply with orders and damaged jail property.
