PORT ANGELES – A man accused of two sex crimes against children will be back in Clallam County Superior Court today for the formal filing of charges.
Travis J. Davis, 36, Port Angeles, who was being held in the Clallam County jail for investigation of third-degree child molestation and second-degree incest, was released from the Clallam County jail on Monday after making bail of $10,000.
A restraining order prohibits him from coming within 1,000 feet of the alleged victim’s school or residence.
The order also prohibits Davis from having contact with a minor under the age of 16 and from having minors under 16 in his residence.
During Monday’s hearing before Superior Court Judge Brent Basden, prosecutors asked for $100,000 bail, citing the likelihood of Davis committing a “violent offense,” the alleged victim’s vulnerability (being asleep) at the time of the alleged assault and the danger to the wider community including other potential victims.
Public defender Harry Gasnick countered that it was a single allegation without evidence and that the state has defined violent crimes and haven’t defined these alleged crimes as violent.
Davis was fully cooperative and reported directly to law enforcement, which is in the affidavit, Gasnick said. The salient parts of the affidavit don’t describe a person who presents a danger to the community at large, he said.
“It was one person while staying in his residence. There’s no reason to believe he will be out prowling the streets,” he said.
Basden said given that Davis has no criminal history and is employed, he was not concerned about Davis not appearing in court and no reason to believe he would interfere with the administration of justice.
So Basden agreed that $100,000 bail wasn’t necessary, but he did impose the restraining orders.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at brian.gawley@sound publishing.com.
