Child Rapist Sentenced to Ninety-Nine Years in Prison

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained a ninety-nine-year sentence 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 pronounced the nearly century-long sentence after a hearing today where prosecutors cited the necessity of a maximum sentence to protect this victim and other victims of child abuse.

At trial in April, 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.”No other child will be harmed by this offender.”

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.