Fired WBNS-10TV meteorologist Mike Davis has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.
Davis, 60, pleaded guilty Thursday in a Columbus court to four counts of pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor, all felonies. Davis faces a maximum of 29.5 years in prison, a potential fine of up to $50,000, and will have to register as a sex offender.
Davis’ sentencing is scheduled for March 25.
Records unsealed in December showed that some 16,000 images were downloaded to his devices over a period of six years. Franklin County Chief Deputy Rick Minerd said the devices contained inappropriate and sexual pictures of children in “compromising” positions – and all the images originated elsewhere.
Yahoo!, where Davis maintained his email account, flagged the case and referred it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
His attorney has filed a motion asking that Davis be sent to a therapy program rather than prison. The motion says Davis used pornography in an attempt to self-medicate after suffering for years with various mental health issues including depression.
WBNS-TV fired Davis after his arrest in September.
