KINGSTON, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — A Roane County criminal case involving charges of rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery has been delayed once again after the defendant failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing.
According to public court records, Victor Dale Moore was scheduled to appear in Roane County Circuit Court on July 29, 2026. When Moore did not appear, Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Wicks rescheduled the case for August 25, 2026.
The latest postponement marks the fourth time the case has been delayed, according to court records.
Charges and Arrest
Moore was arrested on October 29, 2024, and initially had bond set at $100,000. Court records show he later posted bond and was released.
He is charged with:
- Rape of a child
- Two counts of aggravated sexual battery
Under Tennessee law, rape of a child is a Class A felony and carries the possibility of lengthy prison sentences upon conviction.
Moore is not facing the death penalty in the case because the alleged offenses occurred before Tennessee’s law allowing capital punishment in certain child rape cases took effect.
Trial Was Moving Forward
Court records indicate the case appeared to be moving toward trial in recent weeks.
A timeline from public records shows:
- March 24, 2026: Trial rescheduled for the third time.
- July 10, 2026: Judge Wicks filed an order to move forward with proceedings.
- July 24, 2026: Pretrial hearing held.
- July 28, 2026: A jury was seated.
- July 29, 2026: Moore failed to appear in court.
Following Moore’s absence, Judge Wicks officially reset the trial date for August 25.
Change in Legal Representation
Court records also show the case has undergone a change in legal representation.
Moore was previously represented by attorney Matt Courteau. However, records indicate Moore subsequently chose to represent himself in the proceedings.
The extent to which that decision contributed to the repeated delays is unclear, but court documents indicate the change was among the factors affecting the timeline of the case.
What’s Next
The case is now scheduled to return to court on August 25, 2026, unless further action is taken before that date.
Moore remains charged with rape of a child and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. The charges remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
