NORTH COAST, Calif. — Authorities this week arrested a Mendocino College English professor who they said was having a sexual relationship with an underage female student.

The Ukiah Police Department said Jason Christopher Davis, 54, of Ukiah, was arrested on Thursday after an investigation found he was having sex with a student who was 15 years old.

In September, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office referred an investigation to the Ukiah Police Department regarding a possible unlawful sexual relationship between a professor at the Mendocino College and an underage female student.

Ukiah Police began an investigation and confirmed that Davis had been in a dating relationship with a student. It was also learned that Davis was the subject of a civil suit in the Superior Court of San Francisco, in which two former students had accused Davis of sexual abuse.

Ukiah Police detectives obtained search warrants for Davis’ residence and electronic devices and confirmed that Davis had been in a sexual dating relationship and cohabitating with a former student who was 15 years old.

Detectives located photographs and videos on Davis’ electronic devices that confirmed that the sexual relationship began when the child was 13 years old.

On Thursday, a Mendocino County Superior Court judge signed an arrest warrant for Davis’ arrest for five felony charges involving sexual abuse of a minor with multiple special allegations based on the age of the victim.  

At approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, Ukiah Police detectives located Davis and took him into custody without incident. 

Davis was transported to the Mendocino County Jail and booked for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 15 years of age, oral copulation with person under 16 years of age, unlawful sexual intercourse with an under age female and possession of material depicting sexual conduct of a person under 18.  

Mendocino Jail records indicated Davis remained in custody on Saturday, with bail set at $1 million.

The Ukiah Police Department thanked the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the investigation.

On Friday, Mendocino College issued the following statement about the case in which it said that Davis has been placed on administrative leave.

The college’s full statement follows.

“Mendocino College is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for our students, employees, and the broader community. This commitment guides every action we take as an institution.

“On November 20, 2025, Mendocino College was informed that Jason Davis, a faculty member, was taken into custody by the Ukiah Police Department on charges involving unlawful conduct with a minor. Mr. Davis is presumed innocent until proven guilty. While the College cannot discuss personnel matters or share details related to ongoing investigations, we can confirm that Mr. Davis was placed on administrative leave when the initial allegations surfaced. This step was taken in accordance with College policy and reflects our priority to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community while the College conducts its own internal review.
Mendocino College is fully cooperating with law enforcement as this matter proceeds. Because this is an active legal case, the College will not be providing further comment at this time.”