ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — An Anderson County man accused of raping an 8-year-old child has been found guilty.
According to District Attorney General Dave Clark, Royce Earley, 45, was convicted of two counts of child rape, aggravated sexual battery and two counts of incest.
Authorities charged Earley in Dec. 2019, accusing him of committing the crimes between November and December of that year. A grand jury later charged him in March 2020.
Earley had been out on bond before his trial. Officers took him into custody after the guilty verdict and revoked his bond. Judge Ryan Spitzer set the sentencing date for March 27.
“May the delivery of justice and blessings of the almighty allow our young victim to continue in her recovery from the trauma she suffered," Clark said.
Editor's Note: This story was updated to reflect that Earley was charged with aggravated sexual battery and not aggravated assault.