Former WBNS-10TV meteorologist Mike Davis pleaded guilty in January 2020 to four felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, was sentenced to four to six years in Ohio prison, and was released on May 25, 2024, after serving the four-year minimum. He is now under a five-year period of parole supervision through the Columbus office of the Adult Parole Authority and must register as a Tier II sex offender every 180 days for 25 years.1NBC4i. Former TV Weatherman Mike Davis Released From Prison After Four Years2Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Offender Search – Michael G. Davis3ABC 6 On Your Side. Former Meteorologist Mike Davis Set To Be Released From Prison
How the Case Started
The investigation began when Yahoo flagged activity on an email account tied to Davis and referred it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. NCMEC forwarded 25 tips to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which opened its own investigation about two weeks before his arrest.4WOSU. Records Unsealed in Child Porn Case Against Mike Davis
On September 5, 2019, investigators searched Davis’s home in Upper Arlington and the 10TV studios, seizing phones, tablets, computers, a personal laptop, and four thumb drives from a bag at the station. A court affidavit stated that the Yahoo account linked to Davis had been used to upload more than 15,000 images of suspected child pornography depicting “female children ranging in age from pre-teen to young teenager.” According to the affidavit, Davis had been emailing images to himself in small batches since December 2012 so he could view them on other devices.5WBNS-10TV. Documents: Email Associated With Mike Davis Uploaded More Than 15,000 Images of Suspected Child Pornography Investigators found no evidence that he had produced any of the material or distributed it to others.4WOSU. Records Unsealed in Child Porn Case Against Mike Davis
WBNS-10TV fired Davis shortly after the arrest, citing a violation of terms of his employment.6The Columbus Dispatch. 10TV Meteorologist Mike Davis Fired
Charges and Guilty Plea
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Davis in October 2019 on four felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving minors: three second-degree felonies and one fourth-degree felony. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said the counts were built around the “four most-egregious images” found on Davis’s devices. The charges covered downloading and self-emailing videos and images of children between October 2018 and September 5, 2019.7The Columbus Dispatch. Former 10TV Meteorologist Mike Davis
On January 30, 2020, Davis, then 60, changed his plea to guilty on all four counts. He faced a potential maximum of 29.5 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, and mandatory sex offender registration.8WOSU. Fired 10TV Meteorologist Mike Davis Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
The Sentence
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Karen Held Phipps sentenced Davis to an indefinite prison term with a minimum of four years and a maximum of six, the minimum allowed under the law.9The Columbus Dispatch. 10TV Meteorologist Mike Davis Released From Prison
The indefinite structure comes from Ohio’s Reagan Tokes Law, which took effect in March 2019 and applies to first- and second-degree felonies. A judge sets the minimum, and the maximum is automatically one and a half times that minimum. An offender is presumptively released at the end of the minimum term, but the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction can hold an administrative hearing and extend incarceration up to the maximum if the offender has committed serious rule violations, has been placed in extended restrictive housing, or is classified at a high security level.10Supreme Court of Ohio. Senate Bill 201 Quick Reference Guide
Time Served and Release
Davis began serving his sentence in May 2020. He filed a request for early release in November 2021, and it was denied.1NBC4i. Former TV Weatherman Mike Davis Released From Prison After Four Years Because he did not trigger any of the extension criteria under the Reagan Tokes Law, the presumption of release at the end of his four-year minimum was never rebutted, and he walked out on May 25, 2024.9The Columbus Dispatch. 10TV Meteorologist Mike Davis Released From Prison
Where He Is Now
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction records show Davis started under Adult Parole Authority supervision the day of his release and is subject to a five-year supervision period through the Columbus office.2Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Offender Search – Michael G. Davis His Tier II designation requires him to register in person every 180 days for 25 years.3ABC 6 On Your Side. Former Meteorologist Mike Davis Set To Be Released From Prison