Accused Powhatan employee waives right to jury trial in child sex crimes case

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Powhatan County employee charged with multiple counts of child sex crimes has waived his right to a jury trial, with a judge trial date to be determined in the next month.

Thirty-seven-year-old James Babcock appeared in court for a status hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 14, with his attorney who told Judge Paul Cella that Babcock requested a trial by judge.

Babcock served as the county's emergency management coordinator, and was charged with five counts of indecent acts with a child in a custodial role back in September.

Judge Cella confirmed with Babcock that he was waiving his right to a trial by jury, and opting for a judge to solely decide the outcome of his case. The commonwealth's attorney also waived.

Babcock's attorney further requested another status hearing to determine the date of the judge trial. He stated he believed the trial would only take a day, but said the Commonwealth had "a number of witnesses."

Powhatan employee accused of child sex crimes turns himself in

Judge Cella gave a deadline for the date to be determined by Nov. 14. The defense said this could be set by an order signed by Babcock, without him having to appear at another hearing.

Documents filed in court show a joint agreement between the parties for Babcock's cell phone to be returned to him pending trial. According to the agreement, the Commonwealth seized Babcock's phone as part of its investigation and downloaded its contacts.

The agreement also states that the Defendant agrees that the Commonwealth may choose to enter the contents of the phone as evidence at trial, and that the defendant will not object on any grounds other than relevance.

Babcock was granted a $10,000 bond at his last hearing in September. At that time the Commonwealth claimed, in March 2017, Babcock began a relationship with a 15-year-old after responding to a mental health call for the victim in his work in emergency services.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney claimed that the sexual relationship began between Babcock and the survivor on their 16th birthday, and eventually, Babcock allegedly took over as the parental guardian, ensuring the survivor went to school, among other responsibilities.

It was also claimed by the prosecution that Babcock arranged for sexual acts to take place with himself, another adult and the survivor when the survivor was 16.

Babcock became the county's Emergency Management coordinator in 2023. According to the county, he has been placed on unpaid administrative leave since they became aware of the charges.