Smith sentenced to 15 years in rape case

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Raymond Smith is going to prison after pleading guilty to a host of sexual offenses.

Smith, originally charged with 25 felony counts, pleaded guilty last week to 15 of those charges, which netted him a 15-year prison sentence, according to court records. That will be served at 30 percent, court records said. He is also subject to registering as a sexual offender.

While it appeared a trial would be needed to resolve the case, Smith opted to plead guilty to six counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, six counts of aggravated statutory rape and three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, court records said. The 10 rape of a child counts were dismissed.

He was charged after Jacksboro Police learned he had been in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

At the time of his arrest, Smith was 69- years- old. Following his arrest, he allegedly professed his love for the victim.

Smith was charged after the Jacksboro Police Department began an investigation into a child rape case. A father told Cody Chapman, Jacksboro assistant chief of police at that time, that his 13- year-old daughter had been in a relationship with the 69- year-old Smith

Smith allegedly allowed Chapman to search his phone. On the phone was a nude picture of the young girl, according to the arrest warrant.

In a subsequent interview, Smith allegedly confessed he “could have possibly” taken the photo of the girl. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 01/25/2023-6AM)