Man Convicted of Raping Third Grader

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man who raped a nine-year-old third grader. Gary Allen Strange, 32, was convicted of three counts of Rape of a Child and one count of Incest. Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on April 27. Rape of a Child carries a punishment between twenty-five and forty years in prison.

In a five-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Joanie Stewart and Nate Ogle presented proof to the jury that in late 2013, Strange raped a nine-year-old in a residence in South Knoxville. The child disclosed the rape and was forensically interviewed at ChildHelp USA. Strange was later arrested by Knoxville Police Department Investigator Debra Nuchols.

“We have a special responsibility as prosecutors to give voice to the voiceless and protect the most vulnerable members of society,” said DA Charme Allen.”When children are abused by those closest to them and their protector becomes their abuser, they have nowhere to turn. With the conviction in this case, this child will never again be harmed by this perpetrator.”

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.