Child Abuser Sentenced to Fifty Years

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained a fifty-year sentence for a man who sexually assaulted two children over the course of several years.  Darrin Wayne Smith, 57, was convicted of thirty-eight counts including multiple counts each of Rape of a Child, Attempted Rape of a Child, Rape, Aggravated Statutory Rape, Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure.  Judge Scott Green imposed the sentence following a hearing today.

In a four-day trial in September, Assistant District Attorneys Ashley McDermott and Jordan Murray explained to the jury that Smith was a father figure to the two victims.  When the first victim was seven years old, Smith began sexually assaulting and molesting the child.  The abuse continued after the child turned sixteen.  Smith also began sexually abusing the second victim when she was ten years old, and the abuse continued until the victim was thirteen.  At that time, the victim told a counselor about the abuse, and the counselor reported the abuse to authorities.  Knoxville Police Department Investigator Phyllis Tonkin gathered evidence and spoke to the victims.  Inv. Tonkin and Department of Children’s Services Investigator Greg Boderck interviewed Smith who made incriminating statements. 

“These children were abused for years,” said DA Charme Allen.  “Thanks to the bravery of these victims, no more children will be harmed by this defendant.”

Smith must serve fifty years in prison without the possibility of parole.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Erin Morrison 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.