DATE: Sunday, July 13, 1997                 TAG: 9707130074

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   28 lines

CAMP COUNSELOR FACES SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGE

A 32-year-old summer camp counselor has been charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl while walking along a nature trail.

Police spokesman Mike Carey said Saturday that Kenneth Wayne Davis of the 400 block of Nicholas Court in Chesapeake was arrested at 11:30 p.m. Thursday on a single count of aggravated sexual battery.

He was released after posting a $2,500 bond.

Carey said the incident allegedly occurred about 11 a.m. Monday as Davis was leading a group of 24 children and two other adult counselors along a nature trail at First Landing State Park.

All were participating in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department Summer Camp at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.

As the group walked along the trail, Davis allegedly ``began kissing and fondling the victim,'' Carey said. The girl reported the incident to another counselor.

Police arrested Davis without incident after an investigation.

The case is being handled by Detective Laura Kaiser of the police department's sex crimes unit. Anyone with information about any similar incidents is asked to call her at 427-4101. KEYWORDS: SEX CRIME CHILD MOLESTER ARRES

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