Maple Valley coach pens letter in support of child molester, sets ‘bad tone’

A Tahoma High School employee who wrote a letter in support of a man who was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for molesting an 8-year-old girl has set a “bad tone,” a Maple Valley parent told Dori Monson.

The letter brought to light earlier this week from assistant principal, athletic director, and head football coach, Tony Davis was written on Tahoma School District letterhead. It addressed King County Judge John McHale and was written on behalf of Randall Rogers, 55, and long-time Tahoma High supporter.

A woman who identified herself as Jessica, who runs the Facebook page the letter was posted on, told Dori a “large majority” agree that it is inappropriate that someone who is responsible for their children wrote a letter in support of a lesser sentence for a child molester. And to do so on district letterhead was “very surprising.”

“It’s just very poor character,” she said.

The letter, in part, reads:

I am writing on behalf of Randall Rogers with information I think is worthy of your consideration during the sentencing phase of this trial … Many young men have benefited from Mr. Rogers’ generosity and I am grateful for his lasting contribution to our school.

According to the letter, Rogers has donated to the school’s football program.

The district responded with the following statement:

The letter does not represent Tahoma School District and school. Letterhead should not have been used … Mr. Davis, who has a long and distinguished record as an educator and coach, does not dispute the court’s decision in this matter.

Jessica says she hasn’t heard anything about disciplinary actions for Davis, who will work at the new Tahoma High School in August.

“It definitely sets a bad tone,” she said, adding that while Davis is a nice person, it “doesn’t excuse his actions.”

Listen to the entire interview here.

KIRO 7 contributed to this story.