Board of Public Education suspends former Clinton teacher’s license amid criminal trial

The Board of Public Education voted unanimously on Thursday to suspend a former Clinton educator’s teaching license after he was charged with two counts of sexual abuse of children.

Prosecutors allege in December Cody Davis, 42, sent inappropriate messages to an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 12 year-old girl. Davis pleaded not guilty of all charges in Missoula County District Court in January.

Davis resigned from teaching in Clinton in 2024 and previously taught at three other schools in Montana. Office of Public Instruction lawyer Brenton Craggs told the board the agency is investigating the circumstances surrounding his resignation.

On Dec. 30, Davis allegedly requested sexually explicit photos, discussed engaging in sexual intercourse in the girl’s home and attempted to plan to meet the girl for sexual activity, Craggs said.

He sent messages through the encrypted social media app Signal which were set to delete within 30 seconds to five minutes of being sent, Craggs said.

Davis allegedly drove to an agreed upon meeting location on Jan. 2 and was taken into custody and charged with two felony counts, one for sexual abuse of children by "means of communication" and a second for sexual abuse of children through "travel with intent," Craggs said. Both charges are felonies and carry up to 200 years in prison.

Five days later, Davis was released on a $200,000 bail.

A third charge for criminal possession of dangerous drugs was added for possession of ketamine, Craggs said.

OPI found out about Davis’ charges and the undercover operation through reporting from the Missoulian, Craggs said, and summarily suspended his teaching license on Jan. 8.

The board voted unanimously to suspend Davis’ license and to hold a contested case hearing at a future meeting where the board will vote on whether or not to revoke his license. This will be held after the criminal case has finished.

The board voted in January to similarly suspend the teaching license for former Hardin teacher David Larson, who was charged with attempted sex trafficking through the online game Roblox.

OPI similarly became aware of these charges through reporting from the Billings Gazette, Craggs said.

The board also voted to hold a contested case hearing at the end of Larson’s criminal proceedings.