Child Rapist Sentenced to Life without Parole
DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Child Abuse Unit obtained multiple convictions and a life without parole sentence against a man who sexually assaulted a seven-year-old. Zachary A. Mills, 29, was convicted of Aggravated Rape of a Child, four counts of Rape of a Child, five counts of Incest, and Aggravated Sexual Battery. Judge Scott Green sentenced Mills to life in prison without the possibility of parole on the Aggravated Rape of a Child count.
In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Heather Ens and Jordan Murray explained to the jury that in November 2022, the victim disclosed to her teacher that Mills had been molesting her since she was seven years old. During her forensic interview at Childhelp Tennessee, the victim disclosed that the abuse occurred over a period of two years. Knoxville Police Department Sgt. Floyd Fox interviewed Mills who denied abusing the victim but admitted to fantasizing about abusing her. The jury believed the victim and convicted Mills of all charges after deliberating for thirty minutes.
“I want to thank the General Assembly for strengthening the laws and giving us the tools to lock up offenders like this forever,” said DA Allen.
Pursuant to a 2019 change in the law, Mills was sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case is set for sentencing on November 13 where the Court will impose sentences for the Rape of a Child, Incest, and Aggravated Sexual Battery counts. Each Rape of a Child count carries a potential sentence of twenty-five to forty years. Incest carries three to six years, and Aggravated Sexual Battery carries eight to twelve years. Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Leah Graves 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.