MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) –
A Maryville man convicted on numerous child sexual abuse-related charges has been sentenced to 166 years in prison, according to Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond.
Desmond announced Tuesday that James Kilgo Jr. received the lengthy sentence following his August conviction on 15 felony counts stemming from a Blount County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
The case began in October 2022 when detectives with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Child Abuse Unit launched an investigation and determined Kilgo was sexually abusing a child.
Following a trial in August, a jury found Kilgo guilty of:
- Four counts of rape
- Four counts of incest
- Four counts of criminal exposure to HIV
- Three counts of coercion of a witness
According to Desmond, the 166-year sentence was imposed after the court considered evidence of Kilgo’s prior criminal behavior as well as information showing he attempted to communicate with the victim after his convictions.
Desmond said those factors contributed to the substantial sentence handed down by the judge.
The district attorney also credited the New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center for its role in the investigation and prosecution of the case. Officials said the advocacy center provided critical support throughout the process.
The sentence ensures Kilgo will remain in prison for the remainder of his life and closes a case that began more than four years ago with the initial child abuse investigation.
