How Judge TaTeasha Davis Failed to Protect Our Children: The Chris Graves Scandal
How Judge TaTeasha Davis Failed to Protect Our Children: The Chris Graves Scandal
Judge Davis sentenced child predator Chris Graves to 10 years to life—and controls when he walks free
On March 21, 2023, in Pierce County Superior Court, 35-year-old Christopher Ryan Graves pled guilty to one count of rape of a child in the first degree and one count of child molestation in the first degree.
Now, the victim and their family will have to live with the constant fear that this predator could be released 10 years sooner than he should have been.
Chris Graves, a predator of the worst kind, faced charges that could have resulted in a 20-year-to-life sentence. But instead of keeping this monster behind bars for at least 20 years, Judge Davis decided 10 years was enough.
Instead, Judge TaTeasha Davis gave him the lightest sentence possible.
Judge TaTeasha Davis, presiding over his case, gave him the minimum sentence:
10 years to life in prison.
A Predator Walks Free?
The charges were horrifying: three counts each of rape of a child, child molestation, and possession of depictions of a minor engaged in explicit conduct.
Graves was initially arrested by the Puyallup Police Department on September 1, 2022.
These weren’t just isolated incidents. Graves admitted to repeatedly sexually abusing a child over several years.
Despite this, under a deal with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, Graves had several charges dismissed.
Prosecutor Adam Roberts recommended a sentence of 120 months (10 years) to life in prison, but we know the maximum could have been 20 years to life, given the nature of Graves' offenses.
Judge TaTeasha Davis wasn’t required to accept this deal.
She had the power to impose the maximum sentence for these heinous crimes—a life sentence without parole.
But instead, she chose to give Graves the minimum.
Graves' Admission: Words That Should Have Sealed His Fate
In his guilty plea, Chris Graves openly admitted to his horrific acts:
"Between 1/1/2013 and 3/9/2020, I engaged in sexual intercourse with [VICTIM], who was under the age of 12 and more than 24 months younger than me. During that same date range, I also had sexual contact with [VICTIM], with her being more than 36 months younger than me."
Ten years for a monster who shattered lives.
Ten years for a predator who raped and molested a child.
Yet, for some reason, Judge Davis decided that 10 years would suffice.
These words alone should have justified the harshest punishment under the law.
A Pattern of Leniency
As a member of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, Judge Davis doesn’t just sentence these predators—she also has a role in determining when they might walk free.
Judge Davis holds influence over whether individuals like Chris Graves are released back into society.
The very judge who gave this predator the minimum sentence is now one of the people deciding whether he will ever serve more than those 10 years.
Judge Davis' Role on the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board
Instead, by handing down a 10-to-life sentence, she gave this predator the possibility of being released 10 years sooner than necessary. Ten years earlier than the victim and their family should ever have to worry about seeing this scumbag on the streets again.
As a member of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, Judge Davis will be part of the decision-making process that could release Graves back into our neighborhoods after he’s served the minimum 10 years. And it gets worse—Graves could have been sentenced to 20 years to life, but Judge Davis didn’t take the maximum path.
The same judge who gave him a light sentence will have a say in when this child predator walks free.
Let that sink in.
We Deserve Better from Our Judges
Judge TaTeasha Davis is running as an incumbent for Pierce County Superior Court Judge, but she doesn’t deserve another term.
When it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children—we cannot afford to have judges who are soft on predators like Graves.
Her lenient treatment of Chris Graves is a betrayal of the community she is supposed to serve.
Pierce County deserves better. We need judges who will impose the maximum penalties on those who prey on children, not judges like Davis, who seem more concerned with giving criminals a chance at freedom.
Act Now to Protect Our Community
Judge Davis’ decisions have far-reaching consequences.
If she continues to serve as a Superior Court judge and a member of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, more predators like Chris Graves could walk free after serving the bare minimum of their sentences.
The risk to our children and our community is too great to ignore.
This November, we have the opportunity to vote for change. Don’t let TaTeasha Davis’ leniency put our children at further risk. It’s time to unseat her from the bench and elect a judge who will take child protection seriously.
Published by Wolk Report
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