PAYETTE -- A Payette man was convicted Friday of having a sexual relationship with two teenage boys he took into his home.
Thirty-one-year-old Jacob Steven Davis traded money, dirt bikes and cell phones for sex with the minors, who were both 15 when the abuse began.
The victims met Davis, a convicted sex offender, while participating in a Future Farmers of America event at the business run by his family, Sav-On Lumber in Payette. Prosecutors say Davis became a father figure to the boys, eventually moving them and their mother into his home on 7th Avenue in Payette.
The boys lived with Davis and his family near Anderson Corner before moving into the 7th Street house. According to testimony, Davis paid the majority of expenses for the teens and their mother.
Prosecutors say the boys began performing sexual acts for Davis in exchange for cash, electronics and other property. A witness for the defense testified the boys agreed to the sex acts because they had no money and nowhere else to go. The witness also said Davis and one of the boys were a "couple."
The sexual acts happened at Davis' home on 7th Street, a Parma home, Sav-On Lumber and on camping trips.
The abuse was discovered after Davis' grandfather reported a burglary. During the ensuing investigation, police learned about the living situation and the sexual activity between Davis and the teens.
Prosecutors say Davis' grandfather stopped cooperating with the investigation after learning Davis was a suspect in the burglary. That case was later dismissed.
A jury found Davis guilty of two counts of lewd conduct with a minor, two counts of sexual battery of a minor and one count of possession of sexually exploitative material. He was also convicted of failing to register as a sex offender.
The defendant was acquitted on six additional charges.
"While we wish he had been convicted of all the charges presented to the jury, we are happy with the result," Prosecutor Anne-Marie Kelso said in a statement. "We are all very grateful to the jury for their service in this very disturbing case."
Davis will face up to life in prison at sentencing. A hearing to decide whether he qualifies as a habitual offender is set for Tuesday.
