UPDATE: Former Ohio TV weatherman Mike Davis has plead guilty to the possession of child pornography after nearly 16,000 images were traced back to his email address.
Davis, age 60, entered his plea in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday to four counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, the Beacon Journal reports. He had 16,000 child porn images in his possession. Three of the counts carry a potential prison sentence of up to 29 years in prison.
His defense claimed the pornography was used as self-medication for the man’s mental health issues. His sentencing is set for March 25.
EARLIER: A veteran Ohio weatherman has been arrested on charges of selling, distributing or displaying child pornography.
Mike Davis, age 60, who has spent more than three decades as a TV weatherman in the state, most recently for station WBNS-10TV, was arrested on Thursday, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
“Generally, these cases are not about one image,” said Chief Deputy Rick Minerd of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to the Dispatch. “We do take accidental downloads into account. It’s about a pattern.”
Davis was charged with pandering child pornography. He is awaiting arraignment at at Franklin County jail.
The station has not said what action it will take against him.
“At around 10 a.m. (Thursday), we learned that Mike Davis was arrested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office,” WBNS-10TV General Manager John Cardenas told the Dispatch. “We are learning more about the details and will be reporting on the story.”