Child Rapist Convicted of Abusing Third Grader

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a defendant who raped a child multiple times over the course of several years. Robert Vernon Gouge, 47, 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. Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on June 24 where Gouge faces a minimum sentence of twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Lambert and Tammy Hicks explained to the jury that Gouge had dated the victim’s mother and was the victim’s de facto father figure, having raised the victim since she was a baby. Starting when the victim was nine years old and continuing until she turned twelve, Gouge raped and sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions. The Department of Children’s Services learned of the abuse in April 2019 when the victim was fifteen. After the disclosure, Knoxville Police Department Investigator Shaun Sakovich conducted interviews and arrested Gouge.

“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. At sentencing, prosecutors will ask Judge Hixson for the maximum sentence on each count and to run those counts consecutive to each other to ensure Gouge remains in prison.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.