Davis Pleads Guilty to Patronizing Underage Girl

Effingham resident Robert R. Davis has pleaded guilty to patronizing an underage girl engaged in prostitution.

The 53-year-old Davis pleaded guilty Wednesday. Attorneys proposed Davis should be released on two years' probation. Judge Allan Lolie conditionally concurred with the sentence and ordered Davis released on a $25,000 recognizance bond. The formal sentencing, though, will not take place until June 4. 

Davis is to undergo a pre-sentence investigation and sex offender evaluation before the sentencing is finalized.

Davis was arrested in February for allegedly approaching a 17-year-old girl and offering money in exchange for sex acts. While 17 years old is often viewed as the "age of consent" for sex, State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said that the girl was not 18 years old at the time, and money allegedly changed hands, so that makes the charge a felony.