In a Loudon County Criminal Court hearing presided over by Judge Jeff Wicks, former LCUB lineman foreman Scott Burnette pleaded guilty to two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery involving an underage family member. The plea agreement, reached just one day before his scheduled jury trial, resulted in a twelve-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The charges stemmed from incidents where Burnette unlawfully engaged in sexual contact with the victim on two separate occasions, as investigated by the Lenoir City Police Department and the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.

The proceedings were marked by an impactful victim impact statement delivered directly to Burnette in a courtroom filled with the victim’s family and supporters. By accepting the plea, the victim was spared the trauma of testifying about the abuse before a jury. Consequently, Burnette was taken into immediate custody and faces lifelong consequences, including mandatory placement on the Sex Offender Registry and permanent community supervision. His sentence also mandates a psycho-sexual analysis, specialized treatment while incarcerated, and a strict no-contact order regarding the victim.