A Milwaukie, Ore., man who tried to meet up with a fictitious 14-year-old girl during a law enforcement sting was sentenced Thursday to 29 days on a work crew.
Jeffrey James Graham, 52, pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, a gross misdemeanor. He initially faced a felony for the same charge, but it was reduced as part of a plea agreement.
Graham was a Rex Putnam High School assistant softball coach for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, a spokesperson for North Clackamas School District previously told The Oregonian.
Graham resigned from all duties associated with the school district more than a year ago, district spokeswoman Cindy Quintanilla said.
He was arrested Jan. 14, 2016, outside a house in east Vancouver after responding to an online ad placed by undercover police officers, according to an affidavit of probable cause. He had made contact so he could expose himself to her, the affidavit said.
During his hearing, Graham’s defense attorney, Dustin Richardson, said that if the case had gone to trial, he would have argued about whether his client’s communication was in fact illegal. He also said that the online chat room Graham was in specifically requires the user to confirm if they are 18 or older.
Graham has been undergoing treatment, Richardson said, and sought it out on his own.
Judge Scott Collier followed the attorneys’ previously agreed-upon sentencing recommendation of 30 days, with credit for one day in custody. Another possible 334 days was suspended for two years, as a form of probation.
Graham is not to have contact with minors, other than his daughter, and is required to register as a sex offender for 10 years. He must also undergo a psychosexual evaluation and treatment.
