Knoxville man sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville man, convicted of sexually abusing two children, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

District Attorney General Charme Allen's office released on Friday that Ray Gene Elliott, 35, was sentenced to 30 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In August, Elliott was convicted of three counts each of rape, statutory rape by an authority figure, and aggravated sexual battery, as well as one count of attempted aggravated sexual battery and sexual activity involving a minor .

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During the three-day trial last month, prosecutors explained to the jury that in January 2021, Knox County Sheriff's Office detectives learned that a 14-year-old disclosed that Elliott had sexually abused her the day before.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation testing revealed Elliott's DNA in the victim's underwear, the DA's office said, and during a forensic inverview with Child Help, the victim disclosed prior instances of sexual abuse. The DA's office added that investigators discovered another child had been abused by Elliott.

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"The lengthy sentence in this case has made our community safer for children," said DA Allen.