A man from West Mansfield has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to raping and sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl he coached on a local softball team.
Wednesday, Anthony Davis, 30, admitted to two counts of rape, as well as charges of sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
The case began in September 2024, when Davis was seen kissing the girl.
At that time, there was no evidence of other physical contact.
However, on October 8, Child Protective Services and the Union County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to an alleged sexual relationship between Davis and the girl.
Investigators learned that Davis was not only her coach but also a family friend.
The victim later told authorities during an interview that the first sexual contact happened about a year earlier in Davis’s truck.
She also underwent a medical and forensic exam at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
After learning about the investigation, Davis hired a lawyer and later agreed to plead guilty to the charges and accept the prison sentence.
