RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man will spend almost a decade behind bars following a sexual contact charge with a minor.
William “Billy” Beane Davis, 38, was sentenced to nine years in federal court Monday. Davis, who acted as a father figure to the victim for over a decade, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact earlier this year.
Courtroom details revealed the abuse began when the victim was five years old and continued until she was 13.
Prosecutors introduced testimony from the FBI and a victim-witness supervisor detailing how Davis used his position as a father figure to groom the victim.
Davis pleaded guilty to one instance of abusive sexual contact, but prosecutors argued that the other instances described by the victim are still relevant to the case.
The victim eventually disclosed the abuse last year.
While federal guidelines recommended a range of nearly 20 years, the judge ultimately handed down the nine-year sentence.
The victim did not submit an impact statement, with officials saying the process was too difficult for her to face.
