Child rapist convicted of abusing Knox County child
A man is facing a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison after raping and abusing a Knox County child multiple times over the course of several years.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -Prosecutors in Knox County DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit convicted a man accused of raping and abusing a child multiple times over the course of several years.
According to a release, 47-year-old Robert Vernon Gouge was convicted of three counts of Rape of a Child, one count of Attempted Rape of a Child and one count of Aggravated Sexual Battery.
Gouge faces a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Knox County officials reported, Gouge had dated the victim’s mother and was the victim’s father figure, having raised the victim since she was a baby.
Officials said Gouge raped and sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions starting when the victim was 9-years-old and continuing until she turned twelve.
The Department of Children’s Services learned of the abuse in April 2019 when the victim was fifteen. Gouge was arrested by Knoxville Police Department Investigator Shaun Sakovich shortly after.
“The community is safer because of the bravery shown by this victim coming forward to testify against her abuser,” said DA Charme Allen.
Rape of a Child is a Class A felony that carries a punishment of twenty-five to forty years in prison without the possibility of parole. On each of the counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, Gouge is facing eight to twelve years in prison.
Gouge’s sentencing is scheduled for June 24.
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