By SUSAN SHARP

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- After being found guilty of rape, incest, assault and statutory rape by an authority figure in March, Roger Rich was sentenced to prison on Monday.

Appearing in criminal court with his attorney Greg Isaacs, Rich sat shackled in a jail jumpsuit. Choosing not to make a formal statement to the court about his actions, Rich instead allowed Isaacs to speak for him.

Sentencing memorandums had been filed by both sides in the case. Eighth Judicial District Assistant Attorney General Lindsey Cadle said her filing “said it all.”

Isaacs opted to elaborate on his filing.

“We are asking for concurrent sentencing in this case,” he said. Isaacs also asked the court to merge some of the counts when Rich was sentenced citing, they arose from a “singular event.”

Eighth Judicial District Criminal Court Judge Zach Walden said case law could prohibit the merging of the incest charge with the rape charge.

“Incest does not merge with rape,” per case law Walden ruled following a court recess.

While Rich was convicted for crimes that occurred in 2017, the victim reported to authorities he had been inappropriate with her for at least the four preceding years, according to court records.

Despite his jury conviction, Rich remained adamant of his innocence. When he was interviewed for his presentencing report Rich denounced testimony against him asserting the victim had lied on the stand.

Isaacs was also blamed for his client’s conviction. He “misrepresented” Rich and failed to introduce relevant evidence, Rich told the interviewer.

He also denied he had even committed the crimes.

A psychosexual exam was completed on Rich. The examiner noted an area of concern was Rich was “in complete and total denial” of his crimes, it was said in court.

Rich also had “results associated with a high risk associated with sexual reoffending,” the report said.

As Isaacs attempted to mitigate Rich’s crimes, he included that in the past the convicted rapist had held nearly continuous employment.

“I am not giving him a gold star for something that is to be expected,” Walden said.

Throughout the hearing, Rich sat motionless.

Before sentencing Rich, Walden noted the 56-year-old had orchestrated a “series of grooming behaviors” with his minor victim. He had been “pesty” in order to “get her used to inappropriate touching,” the judge said.

Rich was sentenced to 16 years in prison to be served at 100 percent. Following his release, Rich will be on community supervision for life and will be placed on the sex offender’s registry.

Rich asked to be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Corrections pending a motion for a new trial being filed.

The jail will not transfer a prisoner with a motion for new trial pending, Cadle said.

That motion will be heard in early 2025.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 11/21/2024- 6AM)

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