Defendant Convicted of Raping a Nine-Year-Old

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained multiple convictions against a man who raped a nine-year-old child.  Albert Franklin Thompkins, Jr., 46, was convicted of two counts of Rape of a Child and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery.  Judge Hector Sanchez sentenced Thompkins to serve thirty-three years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a three-day trial in November, Assistant District Attorneys Ashley McDermott and Heather Good explained to the jury that from June 2019 to April 2021, the victim was nine and ten years old, completing virtual assignments for her elementary school.  During the day, Thompkins would babysit the victim at his house while she completed her virtual school assignments.  When the victim came to Thompkins’ house, he would sexually assault the child.  The victim disclosed the abuse to a family member who reported it to police.  Knoxville Police Department Investigator Patty Tipton interviewed Thompkins who made several incriminating admissions.  The victim was also forensically interviewed by ChildHelp of East Tennessee.

“It takes a great deal of strength for a victim to come forward and confront their abuser,” said DA Charme Allen.  “The courage of this child had ensured this offender will be off our streets for several decades.”

Thompkins has prior felony criminal convictions for Aggravated Assault and Sale of Counterfeit Controlled Substances.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Erin Morrison and Micah Gallagher 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.