Sex violence activist arrested for child pornography, allegedly soliciting minors for sex

Police arrested Joel Davis, a Nobel Prize-nominated advocate to end sexual violence, in New York City on Tuesday after allegedly discovering child pornography on his phone.

What are the details?

Davis, who is 22 years old and a Columbia University graduate, stands accused of possessing child pornography, attempting to sexually exploit children, and attempting to solicit at least one minor for sex.

Davis was nominated for the Nobel Prize after helping to found Youth to End Sexual Violence. He was also a one-time chairman for the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence. Davis previously admitted to being a survivor of sexual violence in a November op-ed titled, "Healing and its discontents."

He also published a 2014 op-ed in The Huffington Post where he condemned the sexual exploitation of children. That op-ed was titled, "Youth Are Key to Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict."

According to official documents, Davis was busted after he had inadvertently been in contact through  text messaging with an undercover FBI agent. Through the agent, Davis reportedly solicited explicit footage featuring the agent's 9-year-old daughter.

Davis also allegedly told the agent what type of sex acts he would like to engage in with the girl. In addition to reportedly soliciting such items, Davis also stands accused of attempting to set up sex acts between himself and a 2-year-old female child belonging to the agent's girlfriend.

The Columbia Spectator reports that Davis also admitted to sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy.

What did Davis say to the agent?

According to documents in his case, an FBI agent reportedly made first contact with Davis in mid-May by putting up a message on a website that sex offenders are reportedly known to frequent.

The message read, "Looking for other no limits TABOO pervs in DC area. Bi dad here."

Davis reportedly responded to that message, suggesting that he'd come and babysit the message board poster's children.

"Need me to come down and watch ur kids for a night," he responded, adding a smiley face. He reportedly continued speaking with the agent and said that he was interested in children, and would "love to come down" to the agent's home and engage in sexual acts with the 9-year-old, which he reportedly described in a very graphic way.

Other documents allege that Davis attempted to have sex with a 7-year-old boy, but was unable to "get it in" because the boy was "struggling."

What did the FBI say?

In a statement, FBI Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr., said, “Having started an organization that pushed for the end of sexual violence, Davis displayed the highest degree of hypocrisy by his alleged attempts to sexually exploit multiple minors.”

If convicted, Davis could face up to 70 years in prison, according to The Columbia Spectator.

Some of those documents can be read here, but be warned — they contain very graphic and disturbing sexual content.