Defendant Convicted of Sexually Abusing Child for Four Years

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man who sexually assaulted a child for four years beginning when she was twelve years old.  Jonathan C. Young, 31, was convicted of Rape, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.  After Young failed to appear in court for closing arguments, Judge Scott Green issued a warrant for his arrest and set the case for sentencing on October 25.

In a four-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Ashley McDermott and Teddy Ryan explained to the jury that on April 12, 2019, the sixteen-year-old victim went to the University of Tennessee Medical Center to report that she had been raped by Young.  The victim ultimately left the hospital before being examined because her mother repeatedly texted the victim telling her to blame someone other than Young.  Later, the victim went to a sexual assault nurse examiner where DNA was recovered that matched Young.  During the subsequent investigation headed by Knoxville Police Department Inv. Todd Hardin and a forensic interview at Childhelp, the victim disclosed additional instances of sexual assault committed by Young dating back to when the victim was twelve.

“This victim suffered for years, but hopefully, with the verdict in this case, she can find some measure of peace,” said DA Allen.

Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and Rape are Class B felonies that carry a punishment between eight and twelve years in prison.  Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure is a Class C felony carrying a sentence of three to six years.  At sentencing, prosecutors will seek consecutive sentences given the seriousness of the crimes.  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.