Child Abuser Sentenced to Sixteen Years

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man who sexually assaulted a ten-year-old child.  Jonathan Cortez-Razo, 43, was convicted of four counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery.  Judge Steve Sword sentenced Cortez-Razo to serve sixteen years in the Tennessee Department of Correction without the possibility of parole.

In a plea hearing on the day of trial in September, Assistant District Attorneys Franklin Ammons and Heather Good explained to the Court that in July 2021, Knoxville Police Department Detective Patti Tipton initiated an investigation based on a disclosure made to the Department of Children’s Services.  When the victim was forensically interviewed at ChildHelp, she disclosed that Cortez-Razo sexually abused her several times between the ages of ten and twelve years old.  When Det. Tipton interviewed Cortez-Razo, he admitted sexually abusing the child.

“Following years of abuse, I hope this victim can find some measure of peace with the conclusion of this case,” said DA Allen.

At the sentencing hearing today, prosecutors successfully argued for consecutive sentences in this case.  After the sixteen-year sentence, Cortez-Razo must comply with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registry and Community Supervision for Life.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Lauren Ward aided in the prosecution of this case.

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.